As talk about mental health continues to dominate mainstream media, Well Being Trust offers individuals resources and actionable solutions for policy
OAKLAND, CA –– August 12, 2021 – With the mental health and substance use crisis continuing, Well Being Trust released today A People’s Guide to Healing the Nation – a resource that helps families and communities begin to take action on policy specific to mental health and substance misuse.
Actionable solutions like those contained in A People’s Guide to Healing the Nation couldn’t come at a more important time. In 2019, 156,242 lives were lost to deaths of despair – suicide or drug or alcohol overdoses – and if left unchecked, another 1.6 million lives could be lost in the US by 2025.
“Mental health has again been placed in a spotlight – the challenge for us will be what do we do with this moment,” says Benjamin F. Miller, PsyD, president of Well Being Trust, a national foundation dedicated to advancing the mental, social, and spiritual health of the nation.”
“COVID has forced all of us to recognize the power of mental health on our overall health and well-being. From social isolation to loss of loved ones, we have all been hit hard in different ways. If we want to go from awareness to action – action that brings about much needed changes in community, coverage, and care – we need to have a guide on what policies we should be pursuing advocating for.”
Specifically, Well Being Trust shares:
- A list of factors that contribute to a person’s mental health and well-being.
- Resources developed by Well Being Trust as well as other national organizations that focus on improving mental health.
- Five areas (health care, education, workplaces, the justice system, and communities) where changes would make the most impact; and
- Actions individuals, families, and communities can take today to start improving mental health in their communities.
While there are more tailored solutions for individuals who are leaders in health care, education, or policy, Well Being Trust encourages individuals to educate themselves about the policies in their community that are impacting mental health, share their story, and tell others about the work they’re doing to improve mental health and addiction.
“When it comes to breaking down the barriers that prevent us from getting people access to care where and when they need it, no small action goes unnoticed,” says Dr. Miller.
Download: A People’s Guide to Healing the Nation
About Well Being Trust
Well Being Trust is a national foundation dedicated to advancing the mental, social, and spiritual health of the nation. Created to include participation from organizations across sectors and perspectives, Well Being Trust is committed to innovating and addressing the most critical mental health challenges facing America, and to transforming individual and community well-being. www.wellbeingtrust.org. Twitter: @WellBeingTrust
Media Contact:
Amy Shields
Communications Director, Well Being Trust
214-208-7942
amy@wellbeingtrust.org
