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Mental health is just as important as physical health.
This has been another tough year. But with the challenges we have faced, comes the opportunity for mental health to be a part of our daily conversations. Life can be challenging, but every day shouldn't feel hard or out of your control. Mental Health America started Mental Health Month (MHM) in 1949 to communicate the importance of mental health to overall health.
The campaign's key messages for 2022 include:
- It is critical that everyone has a solid foundation of knowledge about mental health.
- Addressing mental health symptoms early is critically important for overall health.
- There are protective measures that can prevent mental health conditions from developing or keep symptoms from becoming severe.
- About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, with symptoms starting by age 24 for the majority of people.
- The average delay between symptom onset and treatment is 11 years; intervening effectively during early stages can save lives.
- Getting screened increases the chances of getting treatment.
Click here to request a download of the 2022 MHM Toolkit.
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Spanish-language
"Back to Basics" toolkit
Over 41 million people in the United States speak Spanish – and now you can reach them during May is Mental Health Month.
Translations of MHA’s 2022 Mental Health Month “Back to Basics” toolkit materials are now available for download. Click here
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Facts About Mental Health |
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According to the CDC, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Staying physically healthy requires some effort - eating right, exercising, and brushing our teeth are examples of preventative measures. We can do the same for our mental health by learning to recognize difficult feelings like stress, anxiety and anger, how to cope in healthy ways and to know when to seek help.
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Downloadable Fact Sheets on Common Mental Health Conditions |
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness has created short educational videos about mental health conditions. Click here to learn more. |
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Data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by SAMHSA
(AMI is Any Mental Illness, SMI is Serious Mental Illness)
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In 2020, there were an estimated 52.9 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with AMI. This number represented 21.0% of all U.S. adults.
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The prevalence of AMI was higher among females (25.8%) than males (15.8%).
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Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.3%) and aged 50 and older (14.5%).
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The prevalence of AMI was highest among the adults reporting two or more races (35.8%), followed by White adults (22.6%). The prevalence of AMI was lowest among Asian adults (13.9%).
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In 2020, there were an estimated 14.2 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with SMI. This number represented 5.6% of all U.S. adults. |
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To learn more click here. |
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Mental Health Among Specific Populations
Youth
Prior to the pandemic, close to 70% of youth in CT were reporting that their mental health was not good.
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Key points from the report:
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In 2019, one in three high school students and half of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, an overall increase of 40% from 2009.
- In 2016, of the 7.7 million children with treatable mental health disorder, about half did not receive adequate treatment.
- Factors that may contribute to these mental health challenges include the growing use of digital media, increased academic pressure, limited access to mental health care, health risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, and broader stressors such as financial insecurity, racism, gun violence, and climate change.
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LGBTQ+
People who have a different sexual orientation or gender identity from most people fall under the umbrella term LGBTQ+. It is really important to know that identifying as LGBTQ+ is NOT a mental illness or disorder. Although being LGBTQ+ is absolutely not a mental illness, many LGBTQ+ people experience mental health struggles linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights.
- Among U.S. adults, 4.5 percent identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
- Discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
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48% of transgender adults report that they have considered suicide in the last year, compared to 4% of the overall US population.
- In mental health care, stigma, lack of cultural sensitivity, and unconscious and conscious reluctance to address sexuality may hamper effectiveness of care.
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
- Black and African American people living below poverty are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress than those living over 2x the poverty level.
- Adult Blacks and African Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than adult whites.
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Blacks and African Americans are less likely than white people to die from suicide at all ages. However, Black and African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers (9.8 percent v. 6.1 percent).
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According to SAMHSA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 16% of Black and African American people reported having a mental illness, and 22.4% of those reported a serious mental illness over the past year. Serious mental illness (SMI) rose among all ages of Black and African American people between 2008 and 2018.
- Overall mental health issues are on the rise for Latinx/Hispanic people between the ages of 12-49. Serious mental illness (SMI) rose from 4 percent to 6.4 percent in Latinx/Hispanic people ages 18-25, and from 2.2 percent to 3.9 percent in the 26-49 age range between 2008 and 2018.
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Mental Health and Suicide
While the presence of a mental health condition may contribute to increased suicide risk, it is important to note that the majority of people who live with mental health conditions will not die by suicide.
Many people learn to manage their mental health conditions just as they would other health conditions. Becoming knowledgeable about your own or a loved one’s mental health condition, and participating in effective treatment for it, is an important way to manage it and live more fully at home, in relationships, and at work. Learn more here.
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The Connection Between Mental Health and Substance Misuse
- Many individuals who develop substance use disorders (SUD) are also diagnosed with mental disorders, and vice versa.
- Research suggests that adolescents with substance use disorders also have high rates of co-occurring mental illness.
- Patients with schizophrenia have higher rates of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use disorders than the general population.
Read the NIH report here.
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"Vaping nicotine can increase anxiety symptoms and stress levels. However, many tobacco users falsely believe tobacco products can relieve stress or anxiety."
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How Can Gambling Affect My Mental Health?
- If gambling becomes a problem, it can cause low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Gambling can become an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol, if you use it compulsively or feel out of control.
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If you have a mental health problem, you’re more at risk of harmful gambling. For example, you may gamble to try to feel better about yourself when you’re depressed, or to distract yourself if you’re angry or upset. (mentalhealth.org.uk)
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Resources
You aren't alone - help is available, and recovery is possible!
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Recognizing When You Need Help with Your Mental Health
Learn common signs of mental health concerns and how to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and behavior.
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Screening Tool
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
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Where to Go
If you have decided you need help, use the decision map below to help figure out your options.
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Finding the Right Treatment Provider
From the CT Clearinghouse
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For 24/7 access to substance use treatment, including detox and transportation in CT, call the Access Line at
1-800-563-4086.
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Additional Support Resources |
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"As a peer-run organization, we use our direct lived experience as recipients of mental health and addiction services to approach our work. Coupled with our education and training, AU informs policy and practice to ensure that all people achieve a self-defined purpose." Visit advocacyunlimited.org
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TurningPointCT.org was developed by young people in Connecticut who are in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. We know what it’s like to feel alone, stressed, worried, sad, and angry.
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"Toivo is a community, a safe place to find support and understanding. We believe that human connection is essential to healing and it is at the heart of everything we do." Visit toivocenter.org
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The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.
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Call to Action During Mental Health Month
Things we can all do starting today!
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- Prevention Partners can share this newsletter and download the resources
- Have conversations about mental health. Seize the Awkward provides conversation guides and tips.
- Maintain good mental health by following the tips on this fact sheet from MHA.
- Connect with yourself and with others. Social connections can lead to increased happiness and better health.
- If you are worried about a loved one, friend, or even yourself, seek treatment. It's ok to ask for help and help is available.
- Support youth with kindness and care, and be a trusted adult. Check out Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health.
- Become an advocate for insurance parity for mental heath and substance misuse coverage. Click here to learn more.
For links to more information on mental health and to connect to additional resources visit the
of our website.
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Upcoming Trainings and Events |
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Western CT Coalition continues to offer monthly QPR suicide prevention and Narcan administration webinars. |
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Click here to view their interactive calendar of activities taking place all month!
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Saturday, May 21, 9:00AM at Bushnell Park
To register and learn more, click here.
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Are you a CT Provider?
CONNECTICUT PROVIDER NEEDS ASSESSMENT - VOICE HEARING & PARANOIA
If you are not interested in taking the survey, or you don't identify as a provider, click here to join the network.
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AU is a peer-led, nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy, and support in the areas of mental health, addiction, and trauma.
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