We’re in the middle of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Learn more with us to see how we can all make a difference.
Yesterday was Mental Health Awareness Day and today is National Depression Screening Day. October is as good a time as any to have the important discussions surrounding mental illness; as we approach the holidays, this time of year can be tough for those dealing with untreated mental illnesses and who don’t have a community of support surrounding them.
Did you know that 1 in 5 veterans who served in the Middle East suffers from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder? A recent study found that only 50% of veterans who need mental health treatment ended up receiving the services they need. Chief among these reasons are stigma surrounding mental illness, demographic barriers to access, and lack of awareness and understanding.
It is vital that we raise support and awareness of the available options to support the mental health and well-being of our veterans. When more serious issues go untreated, often veterans end up living on the street. Nearly 1 in 10 homeless people is a veteran. On any given night, 40,000 veterans are living on the streets in America.
Our Hawley Veterans Service Center is trying to make a small dent in this problem. Veterans who qualify can live at the center for a specified amount of time while they learn vital employment skills, make connections, receive necessary treatment, and find a more permanent residence.
To learn more about what we do for veterans, click here. If you want to help us make a difference, you can donate here.
