MHANYS IN ACTION ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
(Albany, NY): The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) joins the recognition of World Mental Health Day, celebrated annually on October 10th to raise awareness and support for mental health and wellness and to reduce the stigma. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is “it’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace,” as established by The World Federation of Mental Health.
“While the day was first observed in 1992, the importance and significance of World Mental Health Day is as relevant today,” said Glenn Liebman, CEO of MHANYS. “As we contend with a youth mental health crisis – the defining public health crisis of our time asthe US Surgeon General declared – and nearly one in five New Yorkers experiencing poor mental health and the long-term effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. We must collectively redouble our efforts to increase basic knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellness in schools, college and university campuses, the workplace and broader community to empower individuals, and establish culturally responsive environments that foster empathy and resilience.”
MHANYS is in action on World Mental Health Day virtually and in person:
∙ As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, MHANYS is hosting Culture and Healing: Latino Voices in Mental Health, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., which will explore how Latino leaders across New York are advancing mental health and supporting culturally informed programming.
∙ New article on MHANYS’ School Mental Health Resource Training Center (SMHRTC) website recognizing Student Athlete Mental Health Week (October 5 – 12), overlapping with World Mental Health Day, and upcoming Educator Cafe on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., featuring discussion on student-athlete mental health in schools. The SMHRTC continues to provide school districts with web-based resources, online and in-person trainings, and technical assistance for curriculum development to support student instruction in mental health as required by the first-in-the nation law requiring mental health education as part of the health curricula for grades K-12.
∙ Capital Region Mental Health Town Hall at SUNY Albany School of Public Health (1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144) from 6 to 8 p.m. raising awareness of resources available and also featuring a series of panel and Q&A discussions with representatives from an array of organizations including MHANYS’ Director of Public Policy, John Richter.
∙ MHANYS continues to offer mental health first aid training (MHFA), including Adult MHFA, Youth MHFA, Teen MHFA, and MHFA for EMS/firefighters and other special populations.
World Mental Health Day 2024 comes as new data has emerged. The New York Health Foundation released a new report, on October 2, 2024, “Bouncing Back: New Yorkers’ Mental Health Progress and Remaining Challenges,” finding the prevalence of poor mental health decreased by 40% between July 2023 to July 2024, but also finding a spike in October 2023 when one in three New Yorkers reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.1 The report also finds certain groups are contending with higher incidences of anxiety and/or depression, including younger adults having the highest rates of poor mental health of any age group with nearly one in four between the ages of 18 and 34. The foundation’s report also found higher rates of poor mental health among Hispanic New Yorkers with nearly one in four reporting such in the first half of 2024.
The New York Health Foundation’s new research brief, Understanding the Health and Well-Being Needs of New York’s Newest Veterans, is based on a survey conducted by RAND of over 1,100 veterans who reside in New York and separated from the military between 2018 and 2023.2 This survey found 25% of veterans had probable depression, 26% of veterans had probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 17% had both depression and PTSD, and 9% of veterans thought about suicide in the past year. The research brief also highlights the diversity of New York’s veteran population. The survey showed 62% of new veterans are under the age of 45, 15% are women, and 40% are non-white. The survey also identified the barriers to care, including difficulty to access healthcare, perceived ineffectiveness of treatment options, and stigma.
“The new data reinforces the need for New York’s continued investment in mental health, including in the community-based behavioral health not-for-profits that are an essential part of the continuum of care for New Yorkers,” said Liebman. “World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health and wellness is not a destination but an ongoing journey sustained by awareness, commitment, and unwavering resilience.”
About
The Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) improves the lives of individuals, families, and communities by raising mental health awareness, ending stigma and discrimination, and promoting wellness and recovery. MHANYS was incorporated in 1960. We have 23 affiliates in 50 counties throughout New York State. We are an affiliate of Mental Health America.
###
