Speak up for mental wellness
Mental Health Awareness Month acknowledges the nearly 53 million Americans that are living with a mental illness. This year’s Lock and Talk Mental Health Awareness Month theme “Speak Up for Mental Wellness” encourages individuals and communities to start a conversation on the importance of mental wellness.
In Virginia, more than one million adults have a mental health condition. To put it into perspective, that is four times the population of Richmond. Also, in the Commonwealth, nearly 100,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 have depression.
Research shows that discussing mental health can lead to support, reduce stigma, prevent harmful means of coping, improve an individual’s mental and physical health, and build a community.
Recent mental health statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
- 21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020
- 5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016
- The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years
- People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population
- Students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade
- Caregivers of adults with mental or emotional health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care
- 8% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition
- 3% of U.S. Veterans experienced a mental illness in 2019
- 1 in 5 people report that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health
Whether it be to inform or to seek help, talking about mental wellness is important.
Here are important resources to share throughout the month of May and year-round:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line
- Same Day Mental Health Services
- Virginia Community Services Boards (CSBs) - see map below
- National Alliance for Mental Illness
- Mental Health Conversations in Your Community
- Lock and Talk Virginia
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1 or text to 838255
- Use Veterans Crisis Chat on the web
Social Media Kit
For Virginia CSBs and community partners
You may share these posts on your own social media platforms or simply share them from the Lock and Talk Virginia Facebook and Instagram pages.
Key messages to share throughout the month:
Speak Up for Mental Wellness.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental wellness, it is important to know that you are not alone.
Lock and Talk has the resources to help. Visit lockandtalk.org/speakup to learn more.
Start a conversation and speak up for mental wellness.
#speakup #talkoften #mhawareness
Mental wellness means different things to different people.
But, we all can agree that it is important to speak up for mental wellness and help those struggling in our community.
What does mental wellness mean to you?
For more information, visit www.lockandtalk.org/SpeakUp
#speakup #mentalwellness
In 2020, 52.9 million American adults struggled with mental wellness.
Talking about mental wellness is important because it can reduce stigma, prevent harmful means of coping, improve mental and physical health, lead to support, and build a community.
Whether for yourself or a loved one, start a conversation and speak up for mental wellness.
Visit www.lockandtalk.org/SpeakUp for more information and resources.
#speakup #MHawareness #lockandtalk
Oftentimes, taking that first step to ask for help is the hardest.
Connect with your loved ones today. Ask those tough questions. Let them know that you see them, and you are there to listen.
Together, we can encourage everyone to SPEAK UP for their mental health.
#speakup #talksafety #talkoften
We can all help reduce the stigma around mental health.
Together, there is strength in our voices.
Speak up for mental wellness. Visit www.lockandtalk.org/SpeakUp for more information and resources.
#strengthincommunity #speakup
Good mental health is not only important for your well-being but also for military and family readiness.
Mental health challenges and issues shouldn’t be ignored or hidden.
SPEAK UP for your mental health.
Military OneSource is a 24/7 connection to information and resources to help you overcome challenges and thrive.
Check out all of the ways they support service members, veterans and their families here.