As someone who knows Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), you know the importance of being to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in your neighbors, family, friends and colleagues.
But here’s something you may not know: Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. don’t have access to affordable, comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment. That’s a huge problem. It’s also something we can fix, together.
Start by adding your voice to ours. This Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing invites you to pledge to help make mental wellbeing a reality for everyone, everywhere.
Mental Health America established Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. This year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” reminds us that mental wellbeing is not a solo journey. As we learn in MHFA, everyone can help someone who seems to be going through a rough time — not just as a mental health professional, but as a friend or family member.
What Does the National Council Do for Mental Wellbeing?
Mental wellbeing isn’t simply a part of the National Council’s name. It’s our reason for being.
Mental wellbeing is a state of thriving. It is the foundation of living a strong, healthy and fulfilling life. We believe that mental wellbeing is achievable for everyone — including individuals living with or recovering from a mental health or substance use challenge.
Here are a few things the National Council does to support mental wellbeing:
- Advocate for the most effective public policy in our field.
We work to ensure mental health and substance use care organizations can meet the needs of their communities by advocating for public policy, federal and state funding, and new and innovative care delivery and payment models. - Strengthen and grow the National Council membership.
The stronger our organization, and the stronger our voice, the more we can do. The National Council’s over 3,200 member organizations serve more than 15 million adults, children and families nationwide with a comprehensive array of mental health, substance use and social services. - Meaningfully address our members’ workforce and leadership development challenges.
The mental health and substance use care workforce crisis is a health care crisis. We support the growth of strong leaders in the field, create healthier workplace cultures and shape policies that bolster the behavioral health workforce. - Increase the reach and impact of our education, training and services.
The National Council trains the public in MHFA. We train the behavioral health field in areas including leadership, management and integrative care, and we provide technical assistance and guidance. Resources include webinars, virtual training, white papers and toolkits.
How Can I Help?
You don’t have to be a mental health or substance use care professional to make mental wellbeing a reality for your family, friends and neighbors. All it takes is a bit of intention and action.
- Stay informed.
Keep coming back to Mental Health First Aid and the National Council to learn about what’s going on in mental health and substance use care. - Advocate.
Lend your voice and help your lawmakers understand the value of mental health in your neighborhood or state. - Commit to self-care.
Mental wellbeing starts with you, and self-care is far more than a mani-pedi. Start by figuring out what you need to do to take care of your mental and physical health. - Build your skills.
Start caring conversations and chip away at stigma with your MHFA skills. Already a First Aider? Conviértase en instructor and help build healthier, more caring communities.
