World Mental Health Day
Why Access Matters and What You Can Do
Every year on October 10, the world comes together to recognize World Mental Health Day, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for equitable access to care. Mental health is just as vital as physical health, yet millions continue to struggle in silence due to limited access to services. Barriers such as cost, stigma, cultural misunderstandings, and geographic limitations prevent people of all ages from receiving the help they deserve. This year’s theme reminds us that access to mental health services is not only a healthcare priority, it’s a human right.
No matter your age or stage of life, the ability to find and receive quality mental health care can make the difference between isolation and hope, between struggle and resilience. But barriers persist and they look different for youth, adults, and older adults.
Youth and Adolescents: Breaking Down Early Barriers
Young people today are facing mental health challenges at historic levels. According to NAMI, 1 in 6 youth ages 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year, and nearly 20% of adolescents report experiencing a major depressive episode. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that more than 40% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, with about 1 in 5 seriously considering suicide. (Read more about struggles adolescents face in August Blog).
Yet many do not receive treatment due to barriers like parental consent requirements, shortages of child psychiatrists, and overburdened school counselors. Telehealth has opened new doors, but disparities remain, especially in rural or underserved areas. Access matters here because early intervention can save lives and set young people on healthier paths. As parents, caregivers, educators, and community members, we can help by normalizing conversations about mental health, advocating for more school-based services, and staying alert to the signs that a young person may be struggling.
Adults: Balancing Daily Pressures and Access to Care
For adults, mental illness is both common and impactful. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults, about 59 million people, experienced a mental illness in 2022. Young adults ages 18 - 25 are affected the most, with prevalence rates reaching 36.2%. Yet only about half of adults with mental illness received care last year. (Read more about adults facing stressors in April Blog).
Barriers like long waitlists, limited insurance coverage, financial pressures, and cultural stigma often stand in the way. Workplace expectations can make it even harder, as many adults fear judgment if they ask for help. Access matters for adults because untreated mental health concerns can ripple into careers, relationships, and families. Supporting access means pushing for affordable, accessible care, encouraging workplace policies that prioritize mental health, and fostering communities where it’s safe to say, “I need help.”
Older Adults: Honoring Mental Health in Later Life
Older adults often face unique challenges including loss, grief, chronic illness, social isolation,Yet their mental health needs are often overlooked or dismissed as “just part of aging.” In reality, mental illness is not a normal part of getting older. Alarmingly, men over 85 have the highest suicide rate of any U.S. age group. (Read more about risk factors for older adults September Blog).
Stigma, mobility limitations, transportation barriers, and Medicare restrictions often prevent older adults from accessing care. Many grew up in a time when seeking therapy was taboo, making it harder to ask for help today. Access matters in later life because quality of life, connection, dignity, purpose depends on it. Families and communities can make a difference by checking in on older adults, advocating for age-appropriate mental health resources, and creating spaces where seeking help is viewed as strength, not weakness.
Depression Screening Day: The Power of Early Detection
In addition to World Mental Health Day, National Depression Screening Day is observed every October. Depression screenings are confidential, evidence-based tools that help identify symptoms early as they can help identify symptoms of depression and related mental health conditions early, often before a crisis develops. By normalizing screening in schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems, communities can encourage proactive support and help reduce long-term impacts of untreated depression.
For youth and adolescents, screenings in schools or pediatric clinics can help identify depression that might otherwise be misattributed to “teen moodiness.” Early detection means earlier intervention, whether through counseling, family support, or school-based programs.
For adults, particularly those balancing work, family, and life stressors, screening tools can normalize mental health care and guide people toward therapy, medication evaluation, or stress-management supports.
For older adults, depression is often under-recognized, sometimes mistaken for “normal aging” or overlooked because of co-existing medical issues. Screenings in primary care or senior centers help detect depression and connect older adults to treatment, reducing suicide risk and improving quality of life.
Why Access to Services Matters
Access to mental health services can mean the difference between isolation and healing, between despair and hope. When people can connect with timely, affordable, and culturally competent care, they’re more likely to:
Prevent crises and reduce risk of suicide.
Improve academic, workplace, and family functioning.
Build resilience and coping skills for future challenges.
Strengthen community well-being and reduce stigma.
Unfortunately, access remains uneven. Rural communities may lack providers, cultural and language barriers leave some families underserved, and financial limitations still block many from care. Addressing these gaps is not just a system-wide responsibility, it’s something we can work on together as families and communities.
What You Can Do to Support Yourself, Your Family, and Your Community
For Yourself
Normalize mental health check-ins the way you would a physical exam.
Seek professional support if you notice persistent sadness, anxiety, or loss of interest in daily life.
Use resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate help.
For Your Family
Talk openly about mental health at home, reduce stigma by modeling compassion and curiosity.
Encourage children and teens to share their feelings and ask questions.
Support aging parents or grandparents by staying connected and checking in regularly.
For Your Community
Advocate for more school counselors, community clinics, and peer support networks.
Participate in local awareness events during World Mental Health Day.
Share resources such as NAMI or SAMHSA’s helpline with neighbors, friends, and coworkers.
When communities collectively invest in mental health, barriers begin to break down. Access grows stronger when individuals, families, and leaders join in the commitment to making support both available and acceptable.
Final Thoughts
World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health is a universal human right, not a privilege. Access to mental health services is still uneven: youth, adults, and older adults all face distinct challenges and disparities. But with awareness, policy change, community support, and provider innovation, improving access is possible. At ACM, LLC, we believe in bridging these gaps, making mental health care more available, affordable, and culturally responsive, for every age and every background.
Reach Out Today!.
If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Reach out today to start your journey toward healing and resilience. At ACM, LLC, we are here to help you and your family find the support you need.
Mental Health Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 if you are in distress or need immediate support.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) free, confidential support and referrals.
SAMHSA Treatment Locator: findtreatment.gov, search for local mental health and substance use providers.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support via text.
Local Services: Check your community’s health department, school districts, or senior centers for programs tailored to youth, adults, and older adults.
Further Reading and Resources
For Adolescents & Teens:
The Anxiety and Depression Workbook for Teens Michael A. Tompkins PhD ABPP
Provides evidence-based exercises and strategies to help teens identify, understand, and manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Feeling Better: CBT Workbook for Teens by Rachel Hutt PhD
Guides adolescents through practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy exercises to improve mood, cope with stress, and build resilience.
For Adults/Older Adults:
The Anxiety and Depression Workbook for Adults by Michael A. Tompkins PhD ABPP
Offers adults structured, research-based techniques to recognize, reduce, and manage anxiety and depression in daily life.
The Aging Well Workbook for Anxiety and Depression by Julie Erickson PhD and Neil A. Rector PhD
Delivers practical, age-appropriate tools and interventions to help older adults reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and enhance emotional well-being.
Disclaimer: The suggestions provided above are solely for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized support.s. Neither I nor this platform has any financial or other affiliation with the authors, publishers, or distributors of these materials. Please choose resources that best suit your unique needs and preferences. The links to external websites that are not maintained or controlled by ACM, LLC. These links are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of the content, accuracy, or safety of the linked websites. By clicking on any external link, you acknowledge and agree that ACM, LLC is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of external sites. We encourage you to review the terms, conditions, and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
References
https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/suicides-rising-among-older-men/
Join the Conversation!
How do you think access to mental health care impacts your life or your community?
What’s one way you or your family prioritize mental health each day?
What’s one change you’d like to see in your community to make mental health care more accessible?
