Mental Health Month has been celebrated every May since 1949 as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building our understanding of mental illness, provide support, fight stigma, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
The Facts
Mental illnesses can affect how a person thinks, their emotions or mood, and their ability to relate to others or function day to day. Even people with the same diagnosis can have different symptoms and experiences.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have will have a serious mental illness and 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a given year.
Empowering Our Communities
Given that so many Americans will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, it’s imperative to break down the barriers to support and fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness. With millions of people being afflicted everyday, the means of support must be readily available and individuals must have the confidence to reach out for that support.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that nearly 60% of adults with a mental illness did not receive mental health services in the past year. For youth aged 8-15 that percentage is nearly 50%.
Finding Support
The best thing to do in a time of need is talk to your doctor and reach out for support. Our Counseling & Wellness Centers offer individual and group counseling for children, families, and adults.
For more information on mental illness and finding support, visit our Counseling Center’s blog at:
www.robinsnestcounseling.org/national-mental-health-month