Final exams have begun here at ICO. It is the last push for first and third years, who are either heading out for the summer or off to externships. This also marks my last week as a second year student. As finals approached and the stress began to build, I started thinking about ways to help my fellow students get through the next week.
As part of Private Practice Club, we decided to create a “Stigma Tree.” This is something I often did with my UMass Active Minds Chapter (a group supporting college student mental health). The ICO campus is quite a bit smaller that UMass Amherst, but I think overall, the event was a success.
The goal of the event was to get students to write positive, supportive messages for finals and tie them on a tree in our lobby. I really hoped to get students thinking- and more importantly, talking- about mental health.
In keeping with the recent hit Netflix show 13 Reasons Why (a show dedicated to raising suicide awareness), here are thirteen reasons why you should not forget about the importance of mental health.
1. It matters.
2. 1 in 4
The number of adults living with a diagnosed mental health disorder.
3. 47%
The number of adults in the U.S. who suffer from signs of an addictive disorder.
4. It is often misunderstood.
Resulting in blame, anger, embarrassment, and a lack of treatment.
5. 1 in 7
The amount of people in the U.S. suffering from substance addiction.
6. 2nd Leading Cause
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college age students.
7. 4th Leading Cause
Alcoholism is the fourth leading cause of preventable death.
8. School is hard.
It’s not a joke. College and graduate programs push us to our limits and stress can take a toll.
9. 88,000
The number of people that die each year from alcohol-related deaths.
10. 42,773
According to the CDC, this is the number of suicides each year in the U.S.
11. $57.5 Billion
The amount mental health expenses reached in the U.S. in 2006.
12. 25
The average age of onset of bipolar disorder.
13. Others care.
They do, and you should too. Stop the stigma and talk about it. Get involved and make a difference.
Statistics in this post were taken from: www.activeminds.org, www.nami.org, www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth