May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and hospitals and health systems play a critical role in the conversation on expanding access to mental health treatment and eliminating stigmas associated with mental health conditions. By offering high-quality mental healthcare services, increasing educational opportunities for work in the mental healthcare space, expanding access services to more inpatient facilities, and advocating for policies that strengthen mental healthcare access, hospitals and health systems actively reduce barriers to accessing care and improve outcomes for those with mental health conditions.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to share the importance of increased access to mental healthcare and help eliminate the stigmas around mental health conditions. Mental health care is healthcare.
Additional Resources:
- https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-treatment-works
- https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
- https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/warning-signs-and-symptoms/
- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support
- https://www.aha.org/news/perspective/2024-04-26-integrating-mental-and-physical-health-better-support-patients-and-communities
- https://www.aha.org/integrating-physical-and-behavioral-health-time-now
If you are in crisis or feel like you are a safety threat to yourself or others, please call 988 or 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.