Nearly one in five American adults are affected by mental illness, yet only 60 percent of adults with serious mental illness are receiving treatment and only half of all children with mental illness are receiving treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), who points out that mental illness can affect anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, language, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
Left untreated or undertreated, mental illness can become severe and disabling, and have a profound impact on educational attainment, lost income and earnings for individuals and families. Mental illness is a leading factor in homelessness. With the appropriate treatment and interventions, individuals with mental illness can recover and lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Since 1949 the United States has observed May as Mental Health Awareness Month and the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is committed to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services, including community outreach and education, to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and increase access to services.
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DBH and the County Behavioral Health Commission will celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month during all of May and promote wellness, recovery, and resilience with an anti-stigma campaign and community events to provide educational resources related to mental health and substance use disorder and to recognize those individuals and agencies who provide excellent behavioral health services throughout San Bernardino County.
This year NAMI celebrates the 2023 theme, More Than Enough!, as an opportunity for all to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter the diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. No matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love, and healing. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you, is more than enough.
Visit the DBH website and social media for more information on how you can get involved this month, https://www.sbcounty.gov/dbh
To speak to a behavioral health staff member at any time, call (888) 743-1478. Community-based mobile crisis response teams for children and adults experiencing a psychiatric emergency are also available in English and Spanish from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call (800) 398-0018 or text (909) 420-0560.