National Mental Health Awareness Month

Published on May 19, 2023

Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

Your Mental Health Matters!

May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience. It is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic affected the community’s mental health in various ways due to illness, isolation, loneliness, job loss, financial instability, and grief.

According to KFF, 90% of U.S. adults believe the country is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Metro Health is commemorating National Mental Health Awareness Month by improving its efforts to ensure people are safe, healthy, and happy. It is essential to improve mental health resources to ensure emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing for the community.

Mental health problems constitute a large and increasing part of the burden of disease in our community.  As such, improving the coordination of mental health services by strengthening community assets is essential. The community can learn about how Metro Health is addressing this key area by visiting the SA Forward dashboard.

The City of San Antonio is also expanding the successful San Antonio Community Outreach and Resiliency Effort (SA CORE) program to bring services city-wide. The SA CORE team is made up of a team of a clinician, paramedic, and police officer that respond to 911 mental health calls. Together, this team compassionately responds to these calls for service by securing the scene, while a clinician and paramedic address physical and mental health concerns.

In addition, Metro Health will be participating in the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) X Chat on Tuesday, May 30 from 1-2pm. This is a conversation with community partners that will bring awareness to mental health.

To view the chat, visit Metro Health’s X page or follow the hashtag #MHAMChat on Tuesday, May 30.