Mental Health Awareness Day, and mental health issues as a critical component to sound mental health. Representative Tom Rooney of Florida is this yearís honorary chair.
4.27.10
April 26, 2010 ñ The American Mental Health Counselors Association has designated May 3-9 as a National Mental Health Counseling Week, May 6 as a Mental Health Awareness Day, and mental health issues as a critical component to sound mental health. Representative Tom Rooney of Florida is this yearís honorary chair.
Mental health counseling is provided along a continuum of care from educational and preventative services to diagnosis and treatment to long-term care. Mental health counselors help individuals and families with problem solving; personal, social and career development; decision making and self-understanding.
Mental health counselors work in a variety of settings including mental health agencies, private practice, psychiatric hospitals, college campuses and substance abuse treatment centers. They are professionals with a masterís or doctoral degree in counseling or a related discipline who practice within their scope of training. Mental health counselors are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The cost of not seeking needed mental health care can be extraordinary:
1. Major depression accounts for more job absences than any other illness except cardiovascular disease.
2. Individuals who experience job related stress, anxiety and depression miss an average of 16 days of work or school per year.
3. Experts predict that depression will be one of the top three major health threats by 2020.
More than 80,000 licensed professional mental health counselors are available nationwide to help. If you or someone you know needs counseling, look for a licensed or certified counselor in your local community or call AMHCA at 800-326-2642.