Our mission is to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of adolescents and young adults through advocacy, education, prevention, and intervention.
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 16-25 experience the highest rates of depression, and communities of color are disproportionately affected due to racial disparities across the mental health system.
Depression is a debilitating illness and 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 a debilitating illness and 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.
15% of youth have 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 among youth, particularly among youth who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), mental health providers are becoming increasingly overwhelmed. We are working to bridge this growing gap between need and availability by providing mental health advocacy, education, and no-cost services.
StrongMinds America provides mental health education and group counseling for depression to adolescents and young adults ages 16-25 facilitated by culturally competent mental health professionals. We work to eliminate barriers to mental health care like cost, lack of access, lack of diversity among providers, stigma, and fear or mistrust of treatment. Our depression treatment model has been clinically tested and specifically designed to reach youth. |