Coming Together for the Mental Health and Wellness of Our Community

Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement that aims to raise awareness and provide support to individuals living with mental illness. During this time, community members promote mental health as a crucial component of overall wellness and advocate for integrated care, funding for mental health services, and the implementation of policies that further protect and support individuals living with mental illnesses and disorders.

This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness declared “Together for Mental Health” as the theme for 2022’s Mental Health Awareness Month. With the number of Americans living with mental illnesses increasing, this year’s theme encourages the public to stand together to advocate for mental health and improved access to mental health services.

Mental illnesses are among some of the most common health conditions in the United States and can affect people of all ages. According to the CDC, one in four people experience mental illness, with more than 50% of the entire population being diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many of these individuals do not receive the necessary medical support to help manage symptoms because of underfunding or personally deciding not to seek any medical assistance due to the stigma associated with mental illness. Therefore, it is important to bring the issue of mental health into the public view to raise awareness, dismantle the stigma, and advocate for an improved mental health care system.

In Marin County, 26% of adults in Marin report needing help with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems. 29% of Latinx, 19% of Asian, and Black/African-American seventh graders reported feeling chronic sadness or hopelessness feelings in the past 12 months.* Marin City Clinic offers a number of programs to help address these statistics including: Individual and family therapy, child/adolescent psychiatry, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, substance use disorders, and more.

As a community, let’s bring our voices together to raise awareness and advocate for mental health services during National Mental Awareness Month. May those who struggle with mental illnesses be reminded of the support and resources available as we stand together with the rest of the nation throughout this month.

(*2019 Healthy Marin County)