Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources Roundup

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year, patients, caregivers, and advocates shine a spotlight on the millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 5 adults are living with a mental illness, and 1 in 25 adults are living with a serious mental illness. Children aren’t immune either: more than 1 in 5 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years either currently has, or at some point during their life had, a “seriously debilitating mental illness.”¹

There is no single cause for mental illnesses: they can stem from childhood trauma or abuse, experiences with chronic conditions such as traumatic brain injury, cancer, or diabetes, biological factors, substance use disorder, or general feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Learn more about some mental health resources that can be shared with patients.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA has developed a Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit for the public. It includes social media content about the vital importance of mental health, best practices to engage in healthy mental health discussions, and other materials that can be used to promote mental health awareness year-round. The SAMHSA National Helpline is a confidential—and free—24/7 treatment referral and information service.

Mental Health America (MHA)

MHA has also created a Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit full of resources, templates, and printable handouts. For patients, the site offers crisis resources and explains the ins and outs of mental health treatment.

Mental Health First Aid

The premise of Mental Health First Aid is to take the hesitation and fear out of responding to a mental health crisis. As the website points out, “most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack”—and everyone should be just as equipped to help in mental health emergencies. Visit the organization’s website to learn more about Mental Health First Aid training.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Reference

1. About mental health. CDC. Updated April 16, 2024. Accessed May 8, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm