West Hollywood City Hall will be lit green in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. (Photo courtesy of John Biscot)
The City of West Hollywood is partnering with organizations and mental health advocates across the country to designate May as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat stigma, provide support, educate the public, and promote policies that support people living with mental illness. and their families to commemorate the time to work together to advocate for.
Through Wednesday, May 29th, West Hollywood City Hall will be lit up in green, the color of Mental Health Awareness Month. The city will also participate in Mental Health Action Day on Thursday, May 16, by sharing messages about mental health on social media.
More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from mental illness. According to the National Association on Mental Illness, one in five American adults experience a mental health condition each year. Each year, 16% of Asian adults suffer from mental illness. 21% of black adults. 18% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults. 21% of Hispanic adults. 27% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults. 24% of white adults. 35% of multiracial adults and 50% of LGBTQ adults. Mental Health Awareness Month began in 1949.
The impact of mental health issues on young people is profound. One in six young adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year, but only half receive treatment. Data also shows that with mental health treatments such as therapy, medication, and self-care, most people with mental illness can recover. Approximately 47% of adults with mental illness receive treatment, 65% of adults with severe mental illness and 51% of youth ages 6 to 17 with mental illness receive treatment . Last year, 56% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults with a mental health diagnosis received treatment or counseling.
People facing a mental health crisis are encouraged to call or text the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). This Lifeline provides her 24-hour, free and confidential psychological support to people facing suicidal crisis or mental distress.
For more information about Mental Health Action Day, visit mentalhealthaction.network. For more information about West Hollywood Mental Health Awareness Month, visit weho.org.
