Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month. Successful efforts to raise awareness and help those suffering from mental illness include:
- The Affordable Care Act expands health insurance coverage to approximately 30 million Americans by 2016, and an estimated 11 million of these newly eligible beneficiaries will have substance abuse and/or mental health service needs
- The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant provides financial assistance to states and territories to carry out state plans to offer comprehensive community-based mental health services and evidence-based practices to adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances.
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 eliminates the practice of unequal health treatment and improves access to much needed mental health and substance use disorder treatment services through more equitable insurance coverage.
- The Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Suicide Prevention Program facilitates coordination across government agencies and the private sector in the development, implementation, and evaluation of youth suicide prevention and early intervention plans among youth-serving institutions, such as schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse programs, primary care, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other organizations.
July is BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, and People of Color - Mental Health Awareness Month.
- Mental illness is more prevalant among LGBTQ+, multiracial and indigenous people.
- There is a larger stigma around mental health and seeking help within BIPOC communities.
- Treatment for mental illness is less accessible to BIPOC communities.
