There is a significant mental health problem among our youngest citizens. Here’s how you can make a difference. #CureStigma #MentalHealth #Youth
Mental health has become a hot button issue. Addressing mental health matters includes concern for the impact of social pressures, politics, and conditioned prejudice.
On Friday, May 18, 2018, there was another mass shooting in an American school. Setting aside any larger political discussion, the shooting was an example of the extremes faced by our youth and raises more concerns about their mental health.
Teen suicide rates have risen (alarmingly so) over the past two years, but mental health issues are by no means limited to youth. With the ever-increasing stress of economic and social pressures, mental health issues have become more common in family life. Still, a large majority of us are unwilling, ashamed, or afraid to seek help for ourselves or for our friends and family.
During Mental Health Awareness month, we would like to share a campaign organized by NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) in the hope that greater understanding can assist in reducing the current stigma.
There Is A Virus Spreading Across The Country. It’s Stigma. Do You Have It?
May 01 2018 by NAMI
During the month of May, NAMI will observe Mental Health Month to raise awareness of mental illness. One in five adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition.
This year, NAMI is launching “CureStigma” a new campaign that builds on the successful #StigmaFree initiative and positions stigma as a “social virus” that is spreading across America. Stigma is a sign or sense of disgrace that sets someone apart from others. Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation and blame that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to moving forward in one’s recovery journey.
“Stigma is dangerous for the millions of Americans affected by mental health conditions. It causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control, prevents them from seeking help, and even takes lives,” said Mary Giliberti, CEO of NAMI. “Although stigma is a virus that anyone can be exposed to, we do have a cure, and that is compassion and understanding. We need to talk openly and raise our voices, so we can put an end to the fear and shame, and cure stigma once and for all.”
The campaign incorporates a new series of nationwide public service announcements (PSA) featuring NAMI Celebrity Ambassadors from film, television, music, and sports including Utkarsh Ambudkar, Andrea Barber, Maurice Bernard, Corinne Foxx, Clark Gregg, Jamie Gray Hyder, AJ Mendez, Sonya Nichols, Mauro Ranallo, and Stolar. The PSA encourages viewers to visit curestigma.org, where visitors can take a brief quiz to see if they “are infected” by stigmatizing beliefs. Visitors will also receive information about how to “spread the cure” and will gain free access to a special emoji/sticker pack for their mobile phones.
Key mental health statistics include:
- 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition.
- 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in the United States live with a serious mental illness.
- 60 million people in the United States face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness.
- Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.
- Additional facts and citations are available at Mental Health by the Numbers.
“The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it. So during Mental Health Month, we are asking everyone to join with NAMI to #CureStigma,” said Giliberti.