THE CLIMB: MAY
Mental Health Awareness Month: 4 Things You Should Know
74 years later, and many people don’t even know when Mental Health Awareness month is. This movement was established in 1949, designating May as the official month to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness of Americans, and to celebrate recovery from mental health conditions. Millions of people are affected by mental health challenges each year, and it is likely that many people you know and love are affected as well. We want to share with you 4 things that you may not know about mental health conditions, treatment options, and barriers that these individuals are currently facing.
Mental health conditions can affect anyone.
Mental health does not discriminate. Every individual is unique, and therefore, mental health conditions will be unique and different for every single person affected. Any Mental Illness (AMI) is defined as a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder. However, several individuals may be suffering from mental health issues without even realizing it, as many of the initial symptoms do not require immediate medical assistance or cause alarming concern. However, not even accounting for undiagnosed mental health conditions, AMIs have become increasingly common in the U.S. In 2023, the national average for U.S. adults with AMI was over 20.8% - meaning 1 in every 5 U.S. adults, that’s over 52,173,000 people. Utah is no exception to this issue, as of 2023, Utah was found to have the highest percentage of adults with any mental conditions in the United States at 29.7% (Mental Health America, 2023).
When mental health conditions are not addressed, coping mechanisms kick in.
Many individuals who are unable to access treatment for their mental health conditions turn to substances like alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. In 2021,13.5% of young adults ages 18 to 25 had both a substance use disorder and any mental health condition (SAMHSA, 2023). Many factors have contributed to the rise in substance use disorders, some including: isolation, worsening economic conditions, interruptions in harm reduction programs, and growing mental health concerns (Next Step Solutions, 2023). Some of the most common mental health conditions that can lead to substance use disorders (SUD) include depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even general anxiety. Without proper access to care or treatment for mental health, many individuals may turn to substance use as a form of self-medication or to help temporarily with symptoms. These sorts of coping mechanisms do not help in the long-run and can lead to SUD development, along with increasingly worse symptoms from their untreated mental health condition.
People know that they need help, they just can’t afford it.
In 2020, approximately $280 billion was spent on mental health services in the United States (WH.gov, 2022). This amount includes expenses for therapy, prescription medication, and/or psychiatric or substance use rehabilitation facilities. A 2020 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report showed that the number one reason why those with serious mental illness did not receive care was that they could not afford the cost of treatment (46%), along with an additional 19% reporting that their health insurance did not pay enough for the cost of services. With that, there has been a, “growing body of evidence that health insurance coverage directly leads to increased take-up of effective mental health services and reduces stressors that could negatively impact mental health,” (WH.gov, 2022). Over the past few years, it has become even more evident that the United States needs to prioritize expanding health insurance coverage. CNBC reported in 2019 that only 56% of psychiatrists accepted commercial insurance, compared to over 90% of non-mental health physicians. It is time for our healthcare system to step up, take responsibility, and start treating mental health as we do any other medical condition. Along with increasing affordability through traditional healthcare methods, it will also be crucial for our society to continue to cultivate community-based mental health services and even school-based mental health professionals in various settings such as libraries, community centers, homeless shelters, and more.
The negative outcomes are worth talking about.
The 2022 Economic Report of the President discussed the negative outcomes for our schools, workforce, and society that are linked to poor mental health, including: lower school attendance, lower test scores, higher school dropout rates, less workforce involvement, significant earning losses, and increased rates in substance use disorders. It is clear that not addressing mental health conditions can continue to lead to negative outcomes for our society and generations to come. As noted in the report, good physical and mental health are essential for the success of our society as a whole, leading to a more productive economy, creating better educational outcomes, and positively influencing work productivity (WH.gov, 2022). In addition to addressing the current needs of our society, we need to consider the best steps forward to preventing mental health conditions as well. As our youth have become increasingly vulnerable to mental health conditions, school-based programming, awareness, and early detection is the key to improving mental health outcomes. Some of these interventions that have demonstrated positive outcomes include: school-wide screenings, school-based health centers or partnerships, and promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) programs. It is vital to the success of our future generations’ mental health and wellness that we begin to implement these strategies and interventions as soon as possible.
There is nothing to prove when it comes to our mental health, and becoming informed and aware is a great next step for us all to take. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for untreated mental health conditions to lead to negative coping mechanisms, including substance use. Power Forward Utah is passionate about educating and empowering our community. You can help us provide mental health support and substance use disorder recovery to individuals in our community by donating today.
Resources:
https://www.dhd10.org/mental-health-awareness-month-may-2023/
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/10/cost-and-accessibility-of-mental-health-care-in-america.html