The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month

Key Takeaways:

• Mental Health Awareness Month was created to raise awareness and provide education about mental illnesses.
• Out of 50 million Americans struggling with mental health, 42% of them cannot afford to seek help.
• In the U.S., one in 10 youth have reported dealing with severe depression.

Mental health and mental illness are important topics that should be addressed throughout the year. During May, we heighten our attention to this issue. Mental Health Awareness Month marks an opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining optimal mental health. It also spotlights the need to create systems of support in order to counter the U.S.’s worsening mental health crisis by destigmatizing mental illnesses while expanding access to care.

The History of Mental Health Awareness Month

The nonprofit organization Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Association for Mental Health, initially sought to observe Mental Health Awareness Week in 1949. The observance was created to raise awareness and provide education about illnesses like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while also reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. However, this affair evolved into Mental Health Awareness Month to ensure greater visibility and understanding thanks to a broadening public interest in mental health concerns.

The State of Mental Health in the U.S.

According to one of the most recent reports from Mental Health America, 50 million Americans experienced mental illness between 2019 and 2020. Of those 50 million individuals, nearly a staggering one-third of the adults surveyed reported that they were unable to get the treatment they needed due to numerous barriers to accessing care, with costs being one of the most prohibitive factors.

The Mental Health of Young Americans

It’s important to examine how different groups and demographics are affected by mental health issues to ensure proper awareness and treatment are provided. For example, American youth struggle with high rates of mental illness, which, in part, is explained by the stigma around mental illness that has permeated multiple generations — and their struggles have only gotten worse in recent years. The same Mental Health America study also revealed that one in 10 children between the ages of 12-17 suffered from depression that severely impacted their ability to function at school, at work, at home and in their social lives, and only around 40% received the care they need.

Due to the pandemic, children around the country lost time, which has traditionally been critical in developing strong relationships and a sense of self-worth. This is compounded by other concerns that contribute to mental illness in children and teens, especially those faced by girls and children from minority backgrounds.

Mental Health Among Underserved Populations and Women in the U.S.

Those from underserved and underrepresented communities have been unable to get equitable access to mental health resources due to longstanding socioeconomic disparities. One example is Asian and Asian-American youth, 78% of whom are unable to get the mental healthcare they need due to barriers, including stigma and affordability.

With all the social pressures that are placed on girls from a young age, it is unsurprising that women have traditionally dealt with higher rates of mental illness. Over the pandemic, the gap only worsened, as the CDC found that nearly 60% of young women felt persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness — nearly twice the rate of young men. Worse still, 30% of young women seriously considered suicide in 2021.

Similar to the additional social pressures placed on women and young girls, Black Americans also face mental health challenges that are unique to the community. Although mental illness generally affects Black Americans at the same rates as white Americans, the mental health conditions that affect the two demographics vary significantly. Oftentimes, the mental health issues of Black Americans are distinguished by trauma and violence.

In Black communities, mental illness is often rooted in historical hardship — particularly exclusion from health, social, educational and economic opportunities. This disparity continues to cause Black Americans more mental health issues than other demographics. And, as of 2018, one in five Black Americans is living in poverty, making mental health treatment all the more difficult to obtain. And due to strains caused by the pandemic and the subsequent isolation that it caused, we saw suicide rates for Black Americans increase by 19.2%, and by over 36% for Black youth.

Promoting Mental Health Education

Ensuring that mental health education is available to all, especially individuals who are struggling with mental health-related issues, is crucial. According to Mental Health America, education accelerates the recovery process and gives participants more social and emotional growth opportunities.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, don’t hesitate to call the National Mental Health Hotline: 866-903-3787.

To learn more about mental health and how it affects our society, follow me on LinkedIn throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.