Call for Contributions
Reality
The world is experiencing a mental health crisis that is in need of immediate attention. In 2017, within the United States alone, an estimated 43 million people (18% of the population) had a mental illness and 9.6 million people experienced thoughts of suicide. About fifty-six percent of such adults did not receive the treatment they needed due to a variety of socio-cultural and economic factors including lack of access to healthcare, a shortage of providers, and a fear of the stigma that may be associated with treatment. Beyond diagnosed mental health conditions, it is estimated that at least 3 out of 5 people have had experiences of mental illness. These statistics hold for global populations as well.
The genesis of mental health conditions is instructive as well. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 50% of mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% of mental illness begins by age 24. The National Association on Mental Illness in the US tracks suicide as the 3rd biggest cause of death in ages 10-24; 90% of these individuals had an underlying mental illness. These ages are some of the most technologically connected segments of our life span, providing unique opportunities for technological solutions to play a key role in addressing this crisis.
Responses
Globally, governments, clinical institutions, and technology companies are starting to respond to this escalating crisis. Some examples include: Governments (especially in Europe) starting to establish cabinet level positions for Mental Health, mental health education becoming required in school grades K-12 at a rapidly increasing rate, and partnerships by clinical institutions with communities around general care and prevention. Technology has enabled easier remote access to both active listeners and counselors and psychiatrists through text and video channels.
