Nearly every study I’ve seen for the past two years shows an increase in the demand for mental health treatment. We have the COVID-19 pandemic to thank for that.Studies also show that many people have difficulty getting the treatment they need. We have barriers to access to thank for that.If…
I was sitting in a classroom, taking a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course, when I heard something that made everything around me stop: “Contrary to popular belief, talking about suicide doesn’t encourage or lead someone to take action; rather, it reduces the risk.” This lifesaving…
IN THE NUMBERS This week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that more than 107,600 Americans died from drug overdoses from December 2020 to December 2021, setting another tragic record in the nation’s substance use crisis. Additionally, the data shows overdose deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids…
We recently enjoyed a mental health day at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.We scheduled the much-needed day off to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May. It was a modest but important measure to help our hard-working staff, and the benefits were significant. Like all employers, we…
I’m a parent, and I’m still learning how to communicate with my kids. Does it get easier?Sometimes it feels like we speak different languages. It’s never easy, and parents always have more to learn about effectively communicating with youth.It’s the same for those in our field who work with young…
Each May, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing joins a national movement to bring attention to mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). To help you recognize this important observance and support those who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, as well as those in…
Did you know that addressing individuals’ oral health concerns is an effective strategy in improving outcomes for those living with mental health or substance use challenges? A growing body of research is demonstrating just that. The Relationship Between Oral Health, Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment…
BREAKING NEWS Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1-7) spotlights the importance of caring for the mental health of children and raising awareness about children’s mental health. Since 2005, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has observed Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day to inform the public…
With Mental Health Awareness Month fast approaching, this is a good time to remember that barriers to access continue to prevent too many people from seeking care for mental health challenges.It’s also important to remember that those barriers are especially burdensome for Black adults.A CDC survey…
BREAKING NEWS Yesterday, the White House released its 2022 National Drug Control Strategy, which outlines a comprehensive path forward to addressing substance use disorder and the overdose epidemic. The strategy focuses on both untreated substance use disorder and drug trafficking. The report focuses significant attention on harm reduction…