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Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism
If helping those with mental illness is your passion, there are so many places where you can make a difference with mental health activism.
Consider these statistics about mental illness:
- Two in 5 adults in the United States have a mental health diagnosis. This is up from 1 in 5 prior to the pandemic.
- One in 6 children and teens in the United States have a mental health diagnosis.
And when we don’t provide adequate care and support for those with mental illness and their caregivers, we end up with serious problems.
- Mental illness is found in 45% of those unhoused.
- The jail population contains a huge percentages of inmates with mental illness.
- Too many of our veterans (41%) live with mental illness.
- Almost all youths who die by suicide have mental illness.
- Mental illness forces 8.4 million Americans to provide daily in-home care for a loved one.
The Pandemic Mental Health Crisis
According to Mental Health America (MHA), in its report on the mental health crisis generated by COVID-19:
The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed.
The number of people screening with moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety has continued to increase throughout 2020 and remains higher than rates prior to COVID-19.
Some good news, though, as a result of Olympic athletes being vulnerable about their battles with mental illness. Honesty about mental health can be a tricky topic, especially within the world of professional sports. In recent years, we saw athletes discuss physical and mental health challenges as they neared the end of their careers or even after retirement. That wasn't enough to stimulate lasting, meaningful conversation. To see athletes who are at the highest levels of their chosen sport talk honestly about mental illness is a game-changer, so to speak.
Strong, tough athletes are not immune to mental health struggles.
Fighting Stigma
People say that mental illness is the “Non-Casserole” illness. Dr. Judith J. Wurtman wrote for Psychology Today online in May 2018:
A friend who has written extensively about families with mentally ill children told me that people refer to mental illness as the “Non-Casserole Disease.” I thought I knew what she meant but asked her to clarify.
So, if you find out that someone has broken a leg, or is going through chemotherapy, you bring over food to help out. But if you learn that someone’s teenage son is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, or your friend’s husband has major depression, you stay away. No casseroles… – Dr. Judith J. Wurtman
Is Wurtman’s friend right? In my experience, she is. And unfortunately, stigma, the #1 reason the mentally ill do not seek treatment and suffer discrimination.
The Mental Health Activism Fight
What can you do? The answer is:
You can be an impactful activist for change for those with the lived experience of mental illness and their loved ones.
Sometimes people think the only way to make change is by marching, fundraising, or lobbying. These traditional activism techniques are important and needed. But not everyone wants or can take it to the streets.
Instead, think about how you can match your best skills to the mental health activism fight.
Love to draw? Create art based on your experiences with mental illness.
Passionate about yoga? Start a class for caregivers.
Matching your skills to mental health activism is the best way to stay motivated and engaged.
In 1990, Congress officially established the first week of October as MIAW in recognition of the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness about mental health disorders.
It's Your Turn
You can be an impactful activist for change for those with the lived experience of mental illness and their loved ones. Be a part of the movement with Make a Difference With Mental Health Activism: No activism degree required—use your unique skills to change the world, by Terri L. Lyon and Trish Lockard.
Which of your gifts, talents, and experiences can you use to make change happen for those struggling with mental health disorders? Share your story. Listen to others. Apply your gifts. Tap into your anger. Fight stigma. Demand parity.
The time for change is now.
Make a Difference With Mental Health Activism is for
- Anyone of any age with a mental health diagnosis
- A caregiver of someone with a diagnosis
- A friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor of someone with a diagnosis
- Anyone who has compassion for another human being who lives with mental illness
What will Make a Difference help you do?
Follow the 5-step Activism Path to identify the gifts you already possess. Find the perfect activism opportunity for you. Monitor your success and stay motivated as you bring about change. Find the intersection of your passion and the best way you can become an agent for change.
You’ll be confident, motivated, and ready to be a part of the mental health movement.
Who will benefit from Make a Difference?
Tens of millions of Americans are directly and indirectly affected by mental illness every day. Imagine a different world where people with a diagnosis recover their health and happiness.
No activism degree required—just passion and motivation. Change—real change—is within your grasp. Start your journey.
