June 7, 2022
APA Develops New Educational Material on YouTube
Who out there gets anxious from time to time? Do you know what anxiety is? Where would you rate your mental health education? For example, did you know that 25% of Americans are diagnosed with a mental health disorder each year? How about that schizophrenia treatment alone costs $63 billion annually? Or that OCD affects approximately 2-3% of the population?
Anxiety surrounding COVID-19 is at its recorded lowest as 50% indicate they are anxious about the illness, down from 65% last year and 75% in 2020. Unfortunately, anxiety regarding current events in the world affects 73% of the population, as 32% of Americans say they are more anxious than they were last year.
With those numbers, it comes as a surprise that only 26% of Americans indicated they have spoken with a mental health care professional in the past few years, a decrease from 34% last year.
These numbers were collected by Morning Consult and commented on by the American Psychiatric Association president recently. “It is important that we are cognizant of that (mental health effects are very much still with us) and continue to work to ensure people who need psychiatric care, whether the causes are tied to the pandemic or to other issues, can access it,” says APA President Vivian Pender, M.D.
It is important to make mental health a priority in life, as many of us are pulled in many different directions. Only 26% of Americans stated improving their mental health is on their to-do list in 2022. Mental health often falls behind employment, family responsibilities, paying the bills, and finding time for enjoyment. Often, individuals suffering may not even know what they are experiencing is somehow abnormal. Everyday stress has become the norm. That is why mental health education is paramount in informing the public and raising mental health awareness.
But where do we get this information from? Social media? YouTube? Goggle?
The APA has recently produced a new series of videos explaining mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and others. It is an easy way to engage with and provide an entry way for individuals to educate themselves on mental health.
The APA YouTube channel can be found HERE. Check it out if you are thinking you or a loved one may have a mental health disturbance. As you continue to browse through YouTube for more information, look for the “accredited healthcare educator” label. YouTube uses this label to distinguish which sources have been vetted and which are reliable sources of correct information. YouTube uses principles and definitions developed by a panel of experts convened through the National Academy of Medicine to develop this tag.
Put your mental health first. Educate yourself. Seek help when needed. If more than 50% of people in this country are experiencing anxiety while only 26% seek treatment, we are failing. We can do better! Reach out to providers, like Hopewell, if you have any questions or are looking for a treatment center.
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