Nearly 44 million adults and millions of children suffer from mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although expanding mental health coverage has improved the situation, too many people still cannot get the care and the treatment they need.
Mental health is important to us all. A healthy mind is crucial to leading a fulfilling, productive life.
When asked about the biggest challenge that mental health professionals face today, Lamar University faculty member R.J. Davis, Ph.D. says it is “raising the public’s awareness to mental health issues.” He also states that “We can do more. In fact, we must.”
One way to raise awareness of mental illness is through participation in a local or national event. These events can educate the public and show support for those affected by mental health issues. The following yearly public awareness events can all help us, as Dr. Davis says, “do more.”
May — Mental Health Month
During Mental Health Month the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the mental health community to strengthen the commitment to understanding mental illness, to increasing access to treatment and to ensuring those who are struggling know they are not alone.
May — Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
NAMI joins communities across the U.S. in raising awareness about the mental health needs of children and adolescents. This week (the first week of May) focuses on children and youth living with mental illness and advocates a full array of services and support for children affected by mental illness.
July — National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This event honors the leading African American novelist and journalist who also advocated for individuals and families affected by mental Illness.
September — Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. This month is a time to talk about issues related to suicide prevention and to promote resources and awareness. It is also an opportunity to discover how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.
October — Mental Illness Awareness Week
The U.S. Congress has established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Mental health proponents across the U.S. have joined with others since the inception of Mental Illness Awareness Week to sponsor activities designed for public education about mental illness.
Are you a practical problem-solver who enjoys helping people overcome their difficulties? Are you a patient, empathetic listener? If so, you may be interested in a career in clinical mental health counseling.
Earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling may require a series of 20 or more three-credit courses. A blend of theoretical and field-based courses make up the Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lamar University.
For example, the following list details twenty required courses for the Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University:
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
- Individual Counseling Theories and Techniques.
- Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling.
- Group Counseling Theories and Techniques.
- Career Development.
- Measurement and Assessment.
- Multicultural Counseling.
- Professionalism, Ethics and the Law.
- Human Growth and Development.
- Abnormal Human Behavior.
- Counseling Skills.
- Consultation.
- Substance Abuse Counseling.
- Research and Program Evaluation.
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
- Seminar (Academic Residency 1).
- Seminar (Academic Residency 2).
- Practicum (field-based course).
- Internships 1 (field-based course).
- Internships 2 (field-based course).
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Sources:
NAMI: Mental Health by the Numbers
ObamaWhiteHouse: Presidential Proclamation — National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2016
National Alliance on Mental Illness
