PROJECT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WELCOMES YOU

WHY WE DO IT

According to kidsmentalhealth.org, "Children's mental health is without a doubt the most important aspect of any child's social and cognitive development. Children need to have a good mental health status if they are going to live up to their full potential and truly live a life that is filled with positive experiences and the willingness to do what is best for themselves and the people around them." The CDC shows that prevalence of mental disorders increases with age, therefore it is crucial for children to be able to identify different signs and symptoms in either themselves or others, so help can be sought as quickly as possible. 

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Adolescents and teenagers are at risk of experiencing a variety of mental health issues including substance abuse, risky behaviors, dating violence, depression, and suicide. In addition, they may feel alone in their suffering and often are unaware of available resources. The teenage population of Texas should be aware of mental health topics that affect their peers, school, or themselves, and should have access to and knowledge of available mental health resources.

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 have a mental health disorder. In addition, the CDC reports that 17% of high school students have seriously contemplated suicide within the last 12 months. Though many resources exist to help teenagers experiencing mental health problems, there is an average delay of 8-10 years to seek help. This delay often leads to progression and exacerbation of mental illnesses as well as developmental and academic deficits. Furthermore, untreated mental illness may lead to self-medication, addiction and, in some cases, involvement in the legal system. The societal costs of untreated mental illness are substantial, including lost productivity, poverty, and criminal activity.

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Project Mental Health Awareness will utilize the student’s creativity and multimedia skills to create meaningful videos and other media (PSAs) targeted toward their peers to address a variety of issues present in their community. The videos will educate students and the broader public on a mental health topic (e.g. depression, suicide, and substance abuse), and providing information on how to seek help.