Depression Awareness Month

Since 1949, the month of May has been celebrated in the United States as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was developed by the organization Mental Health America (formerly referred to as the National Association for Mental Health) to educate the public and increase awareness about mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness.

The purpose of Mental Health Month is to promote awareness about the trauma and social impact mental illness may have on the emotional, physical, and mental health of families, children, and the community as a whole.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other entities inside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have made significant progress over the past two decades in their efforts to raise awareness of the significance of mental health awareness, prevention, and treatment.

Some of the most effective initiatives aimed at encouraging mental health acceptance, prevention, support, and recovery include, but are not limited to:

The Affordable Care Act – About 30 million additional Americans now have health insurance because of this act. A projected 11 million of these people will have access to services for substance addiction and/or mental health problems.

The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant – This grant provides financial support to states and territories for the implementation of state plans to provide thorough community-based mental health services and evidence-based methods to adults with severe mental illnesses and children with severe emotional disturbances.

The Mental Health Parity and Drug Addiction Equity Act of 2008 – This act removed the practice of unequal health care and increased access to much-needed substance use and mental health disorder treatment services by ensuring more fair insurance coverage.

The Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Suicide Prevention Program – This initiative promotes collaboration between public and private sector organizations in the creation, execution, and assessment of adolescent suicide prevention and early intervention strategies among youth-serving institutions, like educational institutions, schools, juvenile justice systems, substance addiction programs, mental health programs, primary care, foster care systems, and other organizations.

All through May and throughout the year, numerous groups opt to hold awareness events and campaigns. This includes National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, National Depression Screening Day, Mental Illness Awareness Week, Minority Mental Health Month, and many others.