We work with community-based partners to to break down barriers to care.
Depression in America
Depression is the most common mental health concern in the United States, affecting more than 21 million Americans each year. Young adults ages 15-25 experience the highest rates, and women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Communities of color are disproportionately affected due to racial disparities across systems of care.
Depression is the leading cause of disability in the US for individuals ages 15-44. The effects of depression can be long-lasting or recurrent. It can dramatically affect a person’s ability to function and live a rewarding life. It can negatively impact a person's economic livelihood, productivity, resilience, and physical health. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, the second leading cause of death in adolescents.
Depression is the leading cause of disability in the US for individuals ages 15-44. The effects of depression can be long-lasting or recurrent. It can dramatically affect a person’s ability to function and live a rewarding life. It can negatively impact a person's economic livelihood, productivity, resilience, and physical health. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, the second leading cause of death in adolescents.
Our Youth Mental Health Crisis
The National Institute of Mental Health has raised the alarm about a growing youth mental health crisis that is impacting communities of color the most. Mental health providers are overwhelmed by the need and many under-resourced communities lack access to mental health services.
20% of adolescents experienced a major depressive episode in the past year.
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2.5 million youth have severe depression. BIPOC youth are at greatest risk.
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Over 60% of youth with depression do not receive mental health treatment.
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What We Do
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As rates of depression increase across America, barriers to mental health care like cost, lack of availability, lack of diversity among providers, stigma, and fear or mistrust of treatment continue to keep people from receiving care. We are working to bridge the growing gap between need, availability, and engagement by bringing mental health services directly to communities.
StrongMinds America provides no-cost psychoeducation, depression/anxiety screening, individual and group counseling for depression to young people (ages 15-25) and women facilitated by culturally competent mental health professionals. Our depression treatment model has been clinically tested and cited by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for depression in under-resourced settings. |