The month of May is dedicated to raising awareness about the necessity and importance of mental health care. One in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness, and everyone faces life stressors and challenges that impact their mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altering social, economic, and emotional connections, mental health care is essential as we figure out ways to better support our communities, our patients, and ourselves. Hospitals and health systems play a vital role in promoting and delivering timely behavioral health care services, including helping patients access resources in their community. Thank you for acknowledging and supporting the mental health care needs of Washingtonians!
Please help spread the message of the importance of accessing mental health care and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help. The 2020 Mental Health Toolkit, Tools 2 Thrive, along with a number of other resource links to support awareness activities are available through the American Hospital Association. Additionally, May 4-8 is Maternal Mental Health Awareness week, and the Blue Dot Project features resources and important work in this area.
