Strength in Every Story: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month

May has finally arrived, and we at Netsmart again have the privilege of participating in Mental Health Awareness Month. This annual nationwide reflection on mental health gives us the opportunity to share personal stories and promote awareness and support throughout our communities. Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has served as a launch pad for discussion and action, facilitating crucial conversations that can improve—and even save—lives.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Month centers around an inspiring theme: "In Every Story, There's Strength." When we share our stories about mental health, we offer a chance for others to relate and grow with us by shining a light on common obstacles and experiences. Gradually, we can remove the stigma while helping individuals and communities alike to grow stronger.

Our team is honored to join the conversation around mental health awareness, sharing our stories and supporting healthcare communities throughout each May and beyond.

Mental Health Awareness Month and the Power of Storytelling

Mental Health Awareness Month offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone to share and learn. Some participants choose to share personal stories and anecdotes; others prefer to spread awareness and advocate for change. Many do both and more, using the month as an opportunity to re-engage with mental health both personally and in their broader communities. However you choose, we encourage you to find a way to participate. After all, the more stories we tell, the stronger we all become.

That is precisely why this year's theme, "In Every Story, There's Strength," rings so true. Every time we share a story it spreads awareness, builds resilience and peels away another layer of stigma. While every mental health story is unique, they all share the ability to build strength in ourselves and our communities.

Sharing a personal story about mental health or challenges can seem intimidating. Such vulnerability can make anyone apprehensive. Yet as long as we keep open, empathetic minds, there is little to fear. Mental illness is an illness just like anything else, and it's important to share and understand our stories. The more people share their experiences, the easier it is for others to ask for the care and support they need.

Just like most of us, mental health and mental illness have had a profound impact on my life. I have personally struggled with depression and anxiety, my family and friends have experienced postpartum depression, disruptive behavior, and substance use disorders. While I have been fortunate enough to find treatment options for myself and my family, that is not true for everyone. This treatment is critical for those that need it and many of those providers are Netsmart clients.

Our associates are lucky to work with these clients who share experiences and understanding of mental health every day. They work with real people with real insight into mental health conditions, and they strive to promote behavioral health awareness.

We could not be prouder of the work our clients do every day in supporting mental health in communities nationwide, and it's our obligation to ensure they have the technology and resources necessary to deliver that care effectively. Similarly, our clients rely on state and federal funding programs to make their work possible.

Voices of Impact: Sharing Stories of Success in Mental Health Support

To support Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, Netsmart started the Voices of Impact campaign. This initiative displays the effective work our clients are doing with mental health throughout their communities. Here are a few highlights among the many stories of successful funding for behavioral health in community-based care.

Red Rock Behavioral Health Services: Certified Community Based Healthcare Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grants have allowed Red Rock to expand virtual outpatient and crisis response services along with building resources to address individual social determinants of health and barriers to treatment. These expansion grants have allowed them to fully staff the virtual response team with first responders and licensed therapists.

EmberHope: A nonprofit agency that inspires hope in thousands of at-risk youth and families each year by providing infrastructure and support through comprehensive services. Funding has allowed EmberHope to grow by 40 percent in just nine months, expanding its case work to around 1,300 children in foster care throughout Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Missouri Behavioral Health Coalition (MBHC): MBHC, comprised of 33 member agencies, was instrumental in the development and implementation of the CCBHC program in Missouri. The funding in the state has led to increases of 181 percent more licensed clinicians, 165 percent more adult psychiatrists and 500 percent more peer specialists.

Johnson County Mental Health Center (JCMHC): JCMHC is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals in their community. The organization received $2.1 million in funding to expand behavioral health services for individuals experiencing homelessness and youth in crisis. This funding supports staffing, services and programming.

Collaboration and continuous support for community-based behavioral healthcare affects lives nationwide. Continuing to support this funding helps ensure individuals get the essential mental health support they need.

The Role of Funding in Mental Healthcare and the Netsmart Commitment to Advocacy

As we can see, state and federal funding has a tremendous effect on community mental healthcare. Along with crucial Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) funding, grants from programs that have historically fallen under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) support success in treatment throughout American communities. Programs and CCBHCs thrive when receiving such funding, growing their treatment capabilities and achieving outstanding outcomes.

Funding impacts millions of lives, including children, veterans and individuals with chronic mental health challenges. With help from adequately funded community-based care providers, these innumerable individuals find relief and support that allow them to live engaged, fulfilling lives.

Continuing support for funding enhances these individuals’ access to crucial care. Whether it’s suicide prevention screening, youth counselling or crisis response, ongoing funding enables services that create positive outcomes in high-risk scenarios.

We at Netsmart will continue to advocate for community based mental health funding via key federal, legislative and regulatory pathways. As a healthcare information technology (HIT) provider working with post-acute and human services clients nationwide, we have a duty to promote positive behavioral health outcomes through continuous federal funding initiatives. With potential federal cuts looming, supporting our mental health communities is as important as ever.

Looking Forward in Mental Health Awareness Month and Beyond

Now is the perfect time to take action around mental health awareness. I encourage you to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month, whether by sharing your personal story, advocating for funding or supporting local behavioral health initiatives. The more we share and advocate, the stronger our collective ability to care for mental health in all our communities. Visit the NAMI Mental Health Awareness Month website today to access helpful mental health resources and empower your own community.