CALS Wellness Committee tip: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Here are some mental health statistics by the numbers, taken from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):
- 1 in 5 US adults experience mental illness each year
- 1 in 20 US adults experience serious mental illness each year
- 1 in 6 US youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14
One thing to remember is we are not alone. Resources and people are available.
If you are responding to someone in need, here are a few tips from UHS Recognize, Respond, Refer:
- Express concern openly and honestly
- Listen without judgment
- Offer hope
- Be direct
- Do not be sworn to secrecy
- Share the below resources
For easy reference, here is a list of resources that may benefit you or someone you know:
- EAO/LifeMatters (for employees)
- EAO: Lowell Center, 608-263-2987, eao@mailplus.wisc.edu
- LifeMatters: 1-800-634-6433, text “Hello” to 61295, https://members2.mylifematters.com/
- UHS (for students), (https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/)
- No-cost mental health services include individual, couple/partner, group counseling, outreach programming, and stress management. 24/7 crisis services.
- (608) 265-5600 (option 2) to schedule an appointment
- 24/7 crisis support: (608) 265-5600 (option 9)
- Let’s Talk- Daily drop-in consultations with a counselor are available virtually and at various sites across campus.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- UW: https://www.namiuw.org/
- Dane County: https://www.namidanecounty.org/
- WI: https://namiwisconsin.org/
- National: https://www.nami.org/Home
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
- Crisis Text Line, text “Home” to 741741
Check eCALS again next week (May 8) for 31 tips to boost your mental health.