#United States #Alexandria #Mental Health America #Mental Health Month #screening data

Mental Health America Launches Mental Health Month

Mental Health America (MHA) has officially inaugurated Mental Health Month by unveiling significant results from its screening data. This initiative emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, aiming to promote understanding and action within communities.

In 2024, over 5.9 million individuals globally participated in MHA's online National Prevention and Screening Program, with 78% of those screened residing in the United States. A striking revelation from this year's data is that 80% of participants displayed moderate to severe symptoms indicative of a mental health condition. Notably, depression screenings surpassed ADHD assessments, making it the most frequently undertaken test in the program this past year.

The theme for this year's Mental Health Month, established by MHA in 1949, is "Turn Awareness into Action." This year's message highlights past achievements in mental health advocacy while urging people to translate understanding into tangible steps for change. Given that nearly 40% of participants were under 18, the data reveals a pressing concern: nearly half of them reported frequent suicidal thoughts.

The data collected from MHA's screening tools—available in English and Spanish—illustrates a concerning trend among the youth. Around 40% of those screened were minors. Alarmingly, almost 50% of these youths experienced regular suicidal ideation, defined as thoughts of self-harm occurring more than half of the time or on a daily basis. Of those under 18 identified as at risk, 61% reported feeling low self-esteem or dissatisfaction with their self-image, and 48% cited body image issues as a significant cause for their distress.

Schroeder Stribling, the president and CEO of MHA, emphasizes the pervasive nature of the mental health crisis we are facing. "Mental health is health, and it touches every one of us. Factors such as economic strain, online bullying, and environmental stressors can directly impact mental well-being. We hope our resources during Mental Health Month illuminate these issues and assist individuals seeking to enhance their mental health."

To facilitate concrete action, MHA is rolling out new, cost-free planning tools and guides this month. These resources are designed to empower individuals—encouraging them to engage in various activities, such as completing mental health screenings, adhering to wellness tips, or advocating for policies that advance mental health initiatives.

Additionally, MHA has launched a Spanish translation of its introductory guide, "Donde Empezar" (Where to Start), to help individuals who are beginning their mental health journeys find appropriate resources.

Several trends emerged from the 2024 screening data:

• - A notable disparity was found between income levels; the likelihood of facing mental health conditions decreases as one’s income rises. For instance, 82% of individuals earning less than $20,000 were assessed as being at risk versus 72% for those making more than $150,000.
• - Overall, 54% of those at risk cited low self-esteem or self-image issues, while 41% reported relationship difficulties.
• - Perhaps most concerning, 60% of individuals who screened positive for mental health conditions indicated that they had never sought treatment.

To explore the specifics of MHA's 2024 screening data or to view localized results, interested parties can visit MHA's County and State Data Map.

Founded on the principles of community engagement and dedicated to the promotion of mental well-being, Mental Health America continues to strive towards integrated care, prevention services, and early intervention for those at risk.

For further information about their initiatives, visit MHAnational.org.