Turning the Wheel to Support Mental Health
Rotary Club of Middletown (CT) is launching a Mental Health Campaign as it enters its centennial year. We are turning the wheel to support Mental Health. Our goal is to decrease stigma, raise awareness, and improve access to resources and care. Each month, we will share another new article on our continuing series.
Mental health can often be a difficult topic to discuss, even though it is a pervasive problem among adults and children in the U.S.
According to NAMI: 1 in 5 adults (22.8%) experiences mental illness each year, and 1 in 20 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (13.1 million). Nearly 8 million children and adolescents in the U.S. suffer from a serious mental illness. 90% of Americans who die by suicide (the second leading cause of death among persons aged 10 to 34) have experienced symptoms of a treatable mental health condition such as depression, anxiety disorders, or other forms of serious mental illnesses.
Despite these statistics, nearly 50% of people suffering from mental illnesses do not seek treatment. We need to start talking about mental health. You are not alone, and help is available.
Here are some free resources if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis:
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, confidential support for people in distress.