A Call for More Mental Health Awareness and Resources

I lay down hopelessly in my hospital bed at a psychiatric ward for the third time since I began college about two years ago. I had recently transferred universities, experienced several difficult academic semesters, and seriously considered my purpose in life or if I even deserved to exist.? This suffering, fortunately, would soon come to an end after I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1.? For a long period of time, I was misdiagnosed with depression and my mental health was not stable because I was not receiving the proper treatment.? After my third hospitalization and correct diagnosis, my life’s purpose had begun to become clear to me: to raise as much awareness as possible about both my health condition and about mental health through my own personal struggles.

Ever since that third hospitalization, I have been volunteering at National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI for short, for about 4 years and counting now.? In fact, I just gave a presentation yesterday, Tuesday evening.? I’ve been raising a great deal of awareness for mental health, but mental health awareness is not a “one man band”.?? Not only should there be more mental health awareness, but also there needs to be more mental health resources.

We’re in the month of September, which also happens to be Suicide Awareness Month.? Sadly, many of us know someone who has committed suicide, and suicide is a top 10 leading cause of death for ages 10 and above. ??Suicide is often attributed to mental illness, and more than 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental illness, according to NAMI.? But unfortunately, according to an NPR article published in December of 2023, roughly two-thirds of Americans with a diagnosed mental health condition were unable to access treatment in 2021, though they had health insurance.? In addition, the same article noted that only a third of insured people who visited an emergency department or hospital during a mental health crisis received follow-up care within a month of being discharged.? Furthermore, according to the OECD, mental health conditions or illnesses drive economic costs up to 4% of the GDP, with more than a third of these costs related to decreased rates of employment and productivity.

People need to understand that mental illness is just a chemical imbalance in one’s brain that causes mental health issues.? What improves and mitigates that chemical imbalance is medication, therapy, and good healthy habits.? Unfortunately, many of those who suffer from mental illness do not seek treatment or cannot afford treatment; thus, it is necessary that there are more mental health resources available for awareness and those who cannot afford treatment.

As I previously stated the case for more mental health resources and awareness, I am also calling for more funding for local, state, and the federal governments for mental health treatment.? This may not be an easy task, but tax revenue from the wealthiest could help to contribute to greater mental health resources.? I also believe that there should be more awareness for mental health nonprofits and support groups, both at universities and for working adults.? A lot of people would benefit from mental health support groups, in which people can share ideas and discuss how to manage and mitigate their mental health issues.

To be sure, more mental health awareness and resources means that more people with mental health conditions can receive treatment and manage their conditions.? Good mental health is vital for people to live healthy and fruitful lives, as well as to contribute to the economy.? Mental illness, if left untreated, can have very negative effects on one’s health, as well as families and communities of those who suffer from mental illness.

In short, I implore anybody reading this piece to raise awareness about mental health and to advocate for more mental health resources for treatment and awareness.? If more people receive treatment for mental health and more awareness is raised, then more people will live healthier lives.? Also, there will be more positivity and production in peoples’ lives.? Please be assured that it is okay to not be okay mentally, and that mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health.