Mental Health is Health: Compassionate and Coordinated Response

Over the last three years, we have all witnessed and endured multiple challenges to our mental, emotional, and physical health -  heartbreaking acts of violence, a global health pandemic, physical isolation, social turmoil, instability, and unrest, and a growing number of us are experiencing mental health symptoms.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Healthy Acadia is sharing the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) message of “Together for Mental Health.” Let’s bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care. 

Mental health is a critical component of overall health and wellness. We’ve learned through our recent individual and shared experiences that we all need access to quality mental health care services and supports so we can thrive. You are not alone on your mental health journey.

According to NAMI:

  • Mental illness affects more than 50 million people in the U.S.

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental health condition each year 

    • 47% of LGBTQ Adults are affected by mental illness

  • Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder.

  • 17% of youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health condition.

  • The suicide rate has increased 35% since 1999.

Here in Maine, a shortage of mental health service providers, limited insurance coverage for mental health care, and stigma around mental illness delay or prevent many from receiving the care they need. 

Together, we are working to build a more compassionate, coordinated, and effective response to mental health care needs. 

As a Nation

Nationwide, millions of mental health or suicidal crisis calls are made to 911 and local crisis lines each year. Often, when in-person help is needed, law enforcement personnel— not mental health professionals — may the only ones available to respond. 

People experiencing mental health or suicidal crisis deserve an immediate, compassionate, and effective response, including local crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization options that are available 24/7. 

Coming Soon: 988

Beginning July 16, 2022, 988, the new three-digit number for mental health and suicidal crises, will be available nationwide. Once it goes live, 988 will connect people to trained crisis counselors that can provide de-escalation and mental health intervention services by phone, and help to coordinate connections to additional services and help in their community.

988 will not be available widely until July 2022. If you or a loved one is currently experiencing a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/, or text “HOME” to 741-741.

As a Community

We can all take steps to learn how to assist someone in crisis.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an intensive, two-day, in-person training where people are taught how to skillfully intervene, assist someone in crisis, and help them stay safe. Participants will learn how to safely engage with community members who are having thoughts of suicide to help them find “safety for now” and assist them in accessing community-based resources and supports. Healthy Acadia offers ASIST to interested community members ages 16 years or older at no cost to participants

Click here to learn more.

Healthy Acadia also partners with schools and youth serving organizations to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid. In a recent episode of Maine Community Foundation’s Maine Ties podcast, Camp Beech Cliff Director Matt Cornish and Corrie Hunkler, Healthy Acadia’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, talk about the importance of mental health services for young campers and offer practical tips for caregivers on how to support children's mental health this summer.

Click here to listen to the podcast.  

What changes would you like to see in our community’s mental health care system?

POSTTracey CarlsonCE, SB, HPM, AHE, HA, SPR