Our Mission is to reduce the stigma of mental health in young adults.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Mental illness among adolescents is on the rise. Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness show that 50% of chronic mental illnesses develop by the age of 14. Mental illnesses and conditions are not something to be ashamed of and are more common than you think: 1 in 6 youth experience a mental health disorder each year. If you experience these conditions, do not feel ashamed. Please reach out for help - you are just as important and capable as someone who is not struggling. UthMpact hopes to spread awareness to help combat the stigma and negative feelings associated with mental illness.
Some mental illnesses and conditions common among adolescents:
Anxiety Disorder - Anxiety is apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness over impending activities. It includes an intense anxiety, panic, and over anxiousness that is persistent and often impacts everyday living and activities.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD is a developmental disorder described as inattention, disorganization, and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Depression - Depression is recurrent periods of severe changes in mood, thought processes, and motivation that includes negative thoughts and hopelessness.
Dissociative Disorder - An involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD includes repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive thoughts to perform certain tasks (compulsions).
Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning and can be disabling. (Mayo Clinic)
These are conditions and illnesses that are treatable. Friends and family will support you. Do not hesitate to reach out to anyone you feel comfortable with - the sooner you seek help, the healthier and happier you will be!
SUPPORT HOTLINES
Teen Helpline- 1-800-400-0900
Youth Crisis Helpline- 800-HIT-HOME
NAMI Helpline- 1-800-950-6264
Anxiety Helpline- 1-888-826-9438
CHADD- 1-800-233-4050
Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 1-800-273-8255