According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) nearly one in five U.S. adults live with mental health conditions. Young adults (18-25) experience mental health conditions at an even higher rate (29%). No two mental health conditions are the same in how they impact an individual’s everyday life. Common mental health conditions include:
When running a mental health YAB, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of 1) mental health conditions, 2) the effects they can have on young adults, and 3) treatment options. Having a mental health condition can impact many areas of a young person’s daily life and independence, including:
You can learn more about youth and young adult mental health by looking at the resources below.
According to our own YAB, your organization does not need to be an expert on mental health prior to starting a mental health-related YAB. It’s much more important that an organization come to the YAB with an open mind, absence of stigma, willingness to learn, and respect for the lived experience of the YAB members.
Developing effective mental health services for this population requires a better understanding of the individual experiences of young adults. A mental health YAB can help your organization accomplish this.