May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Together for Mental Health

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month:
Together for Mental Health

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners StandUP Polk and UthMpact are joining with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) for a united message of "Together for Mental Health" to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health or behavioral issues.

Mental Health is an incredibly important part of overall health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe and long-lasting effects, particularly among younger people and marginalized populations. Some indicators are positive, such as the number of people who have been more open about their mental health status since the pandemic began (52% in a 2021 NAMI survey). But those statistics are far overshadowed by a growing mental health crisis that demands attention and action.

Statistics show that nearly 2 in 5 American adults experienced some type of psychological issue in 2020, compared with about 1 in 5 prior to the pandemic. Among adults with mental illness, only 46% received treatment in 2020, a number that is far lower among Black Americans (37%), Hispanic Latinx (35%), and Asian Americans (21%). Even those not in these percentiles may struggle with periods of stress or overwhelm that can challenge psychological wellness. We also know the odds are higher for those with a mental illness to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope. 

The crisis is especially acute among youth and young adults. It is reported that 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 may experience a mental health condition each year. According to NAMI, 75% of people aged 18-24 reported at least one mental health or substance abuse concern in 2020. In 2021, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher among adolescent girls than in 2020. 

Over the past 2 years, calls to the NAMI HelpLine (1-800-950-NAMI or 6264) about depression or anxiety increased by 80%, calls about suicide increased by 185%, and calls about mental health crisis increased by 251%. The Helpline is available Monday-Friday from 10am to 10pm (ET).

988 Helpline is coming soon! The new crisis response system will go live on July 16, 2022 to establish a 3-digit universal phone number - 988 - to field calls for suicide prevention and mental health crisis. This exciting change will help reduce suicide rates and strain on emergency services and phone lines. The 3 numbers will be easier to remember than the regular 800 numbers or local numbers.

How Can You Help? Many with mental health disorders feel isolated or that no one understands what they are going through. Let your friend or loved one know that they are not alone. Encourage them to talk openly about their struggles in a safe place. Sharing information about mental wellness is also a positive way to spread awareness. You could hand out flyers containing information about local health resources at fundraisers, schools, and community events.

The more awareness we can raise during this month, the better we can influence our society to make mental health a priority. If you or someone you know is struggling, let them know that it's okay not to be okay. We are in this together and there are many support services and treatment options that may help at https://nami.org/home