Join Wellness Warrior in Mental Health Literacy
Tax deductible
We are Wellness Warrior, a social issues campaign for the University of North Texas Pathways to Civic Engagement class expressing support for the Mental Health Collaborative. Mental health is at the root of many issues that society faces today. Whether it be unhoused-ness, food unavailability, veterans’ issues like PTSD, LGBQT+ issues, street violence, domestic violence, immigrant assimilation, substance abuse/addiction, crime like theft, child and elder abuse, political corruption, unemployment, learning disabilities and illiteracy and general apathy amongst youth and various other issues the youth may face, it all starts with mental health. Mental Health awareness within every community would thrive positively with the support of everyone coming together. Mental Health issues affect people from all walks of life regardless of age, gender, and background. Providing adequate resources to foster help for those struggling and experiencing challenges while seeking support and treatment is crucial. As Wellness Warriors, we aim to break mental health stigma and promote a more compassionate and supportive society for everyone.
Source: Singhal, 2024
Source: Rosenberg, 2024
The Mental Health Collaborative aims to decrease mental health issues with knowledge, starting with programs for educators, coaches, parents, caregivers, students, and student leaders to support children and young adults. There are also education programs for adults in the workplace, mentors, and professionals. They pride themselves in their “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)” Initiative and were awarded a Platinum Transparency Seal in 2023 (Rosenberg, 2024). The Mental Health Collaborative is an essential resource for knowledge-based mental health literacy that can help everyone adjust as the current social climate gets more complicated. They support “Building Resilient Communities through Mental Health Education & Awareness” (Rosenberg, 2024). Mental Health literacy is vital because educating communities about mental health is necessary to recognize mental health issues, promote early intervention, and encourage others to speak out and help without fear, judgment, or discrimination. Additionally, raising awareness can enable individuals to take care of their mental health and well-being and create support groups that encourage them to discuss their mental health challenges.
Your contribution to Mental Health Collaborative, “Every dollar counts toward our goal of building resilient communities through mental health literacy. Your donation can help Mental Health Collaborative champion good mental health for whole communities.”
Source: Rosenberg, 2024
Mental Health Statistics:
- Approximately 1 in 4 respondents did not believe depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders, or autism were a form of mental illness (Crawford, 2020).
- Nearly 55% of respondents identified cost and insurance coverage limitations as the main impediments to mental health treatment, with 25% citing embarrassment and stigma. Among respondents who stated they would voluntarily seek help, approximately 1 in 4 cited lack of access as the primary reason they would not pursue such care (Crawford, 2020).
- 160 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area.
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there were an estimated 57.8 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with any mental illness. Additionally, young adults aged 18-25 had the highest prevalence of any mental illness (33.7%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (28.1%) and aged 50 or older (15.0%) (Mental illness 2023).
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, young adults aged 18-25 years old also had the highest prevalence of serious mental illness (11.4%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (7.1%) and aged 50 and older (2.5%) (Mental illness 2023).
- An estimated 49.5% of adolescents (aged 13-18) had any mental disorder. Of adolescents with any mental disorder, an estimated 22.2% had severe impairment and/or distress (Mental illness 2023).
- 19.7% of U.S. Veterans experienced a mental illness in 2020 (3.9 million people) (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- In 2020, among U.S. adults, 1 in 5 experienced a mental illness, with 1 in 20 experiencing a serious mental illness (Mental illness 2023).
- 2023 Key Findings; Over 1 in 10 youth in the U.S. are experiencing depression that is severely impairing their ability to function at school or work, at home, with family, or in their social life (The state of Mental Health in America 2023).
- 59.8% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment (The state of Mental Health in America 2023).
- In the U.S., there are an estimated 350 individuals for every one mental health provider (The state of Mental Health in America 2023).
Mental Health Impact:
- High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- 95% of college counselors report that mental health concerns are growing on their campus (Mental Health Statistics 2024).
- Students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- 21.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- Fewer than half of returning veterans in need of mental health treatment receive it (Mental Health Statistics 2024).
- About 2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness (37% in state and federal prisons and 44% held in local jails) (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition (Mental health by the numbers 2024).
- An adolescent dies from suicide every 100 minutes, making it the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 (Mental Health Statistics 2024).
Testimonials:
Mental Health Resources:
- The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/): This organization is a directory of free and low-cost clinics for many different kinds of healthcare, including mental health.
- Open Path (https://openpathcollective.org/): Open Path connects patients to low-cost mental health care.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Mental Health Crisis Text Line: Text “Buddy” to 741-741 or call 1-877-382-1609
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Treatment provider locator: 1-617-704-NAMI, Nami information helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (Provides free referral information and support)
- Trans Mental Health Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
- Gay & Lesbian Crisis Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
- Alcoholics Anonymous: 1-888-GET-HOPE (438-4673)
- Gamblers Anonymous: 1-855-222-5542
- Narcotics Anonymous: 1-800-543-4670
References
Crawford, J. (2020, May 21). Poll: Americans’ perceptions on Mental Health.
UHS. https://uhs.com/uhs-releases-results-of-poll-examining-americans-perceptions-on-mental-health/#:~:text=Approximately%201%20in%204%20respondents,a%20form%20of%20mental%20illness.
Mental health by the numbers. NAMI. (2024, May 16). https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers/
Mental Health Statistics. The Zebra. (2024, March 13). https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/mental-health-statistics/
Rosenberg, A. (2019). Our mission, vision, and story. Mental Health Collaborative. https://www.mentalhealthcollaborative.org/who-we-are/
Rosenberg, A. (2024, September 4). Our mission, vision, and story. Mental Health Collaborative. https://www.mentalhealthcollaborative.org/who-we-are/
Singhal, N. (Ed.). (2024, March). Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. Psychiatry.org - Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
The state of Mental Health in America. Mental Health America. (2023). https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, March). Mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
Fundraising team (5)
Iman Brown
Organizer
Denton, TX
Mental Health Collaborative
Beneficiary
Christian Castanon
Team member
Nataly Rodriguez
Team member
Ngoc Ly
Team member
Tanisha Carter
Team member