Across our country's public schools, we are numbly aware of shootings, bullying and youth suicides that highlight the mental health needs of our most vulnerable students. What we miss, at times, is the serious mental health needs of students who perform at the highest standards, are loved by friends and teachers, and seem to have it all together. The Student Achievement Leadership Team (SALT) were introduced to the needs of these students at a recent SALT meeting.
As we learned, navigating life with mental illness can be difficult, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is an outstanding resource for educators and district leaders. Central to improving life for all individuals living with a mental illness is encouraging others to learn the facts about mental illness. With education, people can identify warning signs of mental health conditions and help someone who may be struggling.
Key Mental Health Statistics Include:
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1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition.
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1 in 25 (11.2 million) adults in the U.S. lives with a serious mental illness.
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46.6 million adults in the U.S. face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness.
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Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.
For information specific to children and teens, download the Children & Teens Mental Health Infographic.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.