Mental Health Awareness Month
Key Facts
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
- As of 2021, 1 in 10 young people under age 18 experienced a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
- 7 in 10 Americans (72%) agree that people with mental health conditions face discrimination in their everyday life.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
This year, Mental Health Awareness Month will amplify the message, “Take The Moment.” According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, this campaign is about fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding. “This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.”
Stigma often exists because of negative stereotypes or myths. For example, some people might believe that treatment does not help. However, mental health conditions such as anxiety are very treatable, but only 36% of people go to get help. Others believe that anxiety just happens, or that it is very uncommon. This, again, is untrue. Anxiety disorder it the most common mental health disorder in the US, and it is caused by several factors such as brain activity to genetics, to life events.
So, reach out if you need help, or be there for someone who needs help. Join District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) and NAMI as we promote Mental Health Awareness Month, Take The Moment!
If you are in a mental health crisis, there are numerous resources available. Please contact any resource listed below:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-8255 or call/text/chat at 988.
- Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Hearing loss – Call 988 Videophone, online chat, text at 988 (send any message to 988 to start a text conversation).
- For Spanish/ Para Español – Marque 988 y Presione 2 O por mensaje de texto en Español, envía la palabra AYUDA a 988.
- Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 then Press 1 or chat live/text 838255.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Help Line – Call 1-800-950-6264 or Text 62640 or email us at helpline@nami.org.
- Mental Health America – Call or Text 988 or Chat org.You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Quick Links
National Alliance on Mental Health