Mental Health America

More than 6.5 million people in 2023 took a mental health screening test through Mental Health America's online National Prevention and Screening Program, with 79% of screeners located in the U.S. scoring positive for moderate to severe symptoms of a #mentalhealthcondition. Rates of anxiety and risk for psychosis remain higher than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the ADHD screen overtook depression to become the most widely taken screen of 2023. MHA is releasing this data in conjunction with the beginning of #MentalHealthMonth in May, which we established 75 years ago to promote #mentalhealth and well-being through awareness and education. Other notable 2023 screening trends include: 🔹 Youth continue to show worrisome signs of suicidal ideation, with 49% of screeners under the age of 18 reporting frequent suicidal ideation on more than half or nearly every day of the previous two weeks. 🔹 LGBTQ+ youth who identified as “other” race were most likely to report suicidal ideation at 64%. 🔹 Overall, 36% (201,497) of individuals who took the depression screen reported frequent suicidal ideation in 2023.   🔹 Rates of suicidal ideation for all Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) were higher than rates for white screeners; 40% of BIPOC screeners reported frequent suicidal ideation, as opposed to 33% of white screeners. 🔹 Rates of those at risk for psychotic experiences have continued to increase compared with pre-pandemic rates, growing from 73% at risk in 2019 to a staggering 80% in 2023. You can find our full data analysis here: https://lnkd.in/ggqDgA3G

Repeat after me: mental health is just as important as physical health! 🗣️ Happy #MentalHealthMonth 💚

UPDATE: That was fast! We're sold out of our 25,000 bracelets. Look out for a restock in mid-May! We're almost sold out of our #WearAndShare Mental Health Awareness Bracelets for #MentalHealthMonth - get yours today! 💚 This initiative centers around a simple yet powerful accessory: a green bracelet with dual-sided messages, "Today feels hard" and "I count today as a good day.” With these bracelets, we hope to spark conversations about mental health and contribute to a larger movement of acceptance, empathy, understanding, and support for mental health conditions. Help spread the message that #StigmaStopsHere by getting your FREE bracelet at mhanational.org/bracelet today.

May is #MentalHealthMonth! 💚 The world is constantly changing – for better or for worse – and dealing with everything happening around us can be overwhelming. While society is getting more comfortable acknowledging that mental health IS health, it can still be hard to know #WhereToStart when it comes to taking care of your own well-being. We’ll share ways you can act, learn, and advocate for mental health awareness all month, so stay tuned! Check out mhanational.org/may for more resources for May.

Having a bad day, week, or month doesn’t mean you’re failing - it’s all a part of the healing process. We believe in you. 💙

For the first time since 1997, the Office of Management and Budget published revised standards for federal data on race and ethnicity, but more progress is needed to better understand #mentalhealth disparities in the U.S. As part of the Data Equity Coalition, MHA released a white paper today on recommendations to standardize federal data collection methods to improve mental health outcomes for youth in underserved communities. The first step to eliminating health disparities and promoting equity in #youthmentalhealth is collecting consistent data that not only includes race and ethnicity, but sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Without this data, it will be impossible to identify where there are disparities and how to address them.

¡Nuestro kit de herramientas del Mes de la Salud Mental en español ya está aquí! ¡Mental Health América se complace en anunciar que nuestro kit de herramientas del Mes de la Salud Mental 2024 ya está disponible en español! Al descargar el kit de herramientas gratuito, podrá acceder a información, herramientas de autoayuda, recursos de redes sociales y más para apoyarse a sí mismo y a las personas que le importan en el camino hacia el bienestar mental. También puede encontrar otros recursos en español en nuestro sitio web para obtener más información sobre cómo apoyar su salud mental. Descarga el kit de herramientas: https://lnkd.in/eYnyhymd

Sometimes we make ourselves feel smaller so people don’t feel burdened by our big feelings. But here’s the thing: your feelings are NOT a burden. We’re so lucky to be sharing this space with you. 💙

Have you gotten your paperback copy of “Where to Start” yet? Last year, Mental Health America and illustrator Gemma Correll teamed up to create a mental health survival guide. In celebration of its book birthday this month, we released a paperback version! 🧡 Published by Penguin Teen, “Where to Start” helps young people find some direction and resources for their mental health. Using a jargon-free approach, this book provides information on understanding warning signs, symptoms, and support options. Get your copy today in time for #MentalHealthMonth in May! https://buff.ly/3PW4qbb

Countdown to #MentalHealthMonth…one week! 💚 Have you signed up for the Be Seen in Green challenge yet? Every green outfit and fundraiser supports our mission of advancing the mental health and well-being of everyone through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service. Join the challenge at https://lnkd.in/g7zR6nYN 💚