Mental Health Awareness Month: Building More Good Days Through Collaborative Care

Although mental health has become more widely discussed in recent years, many still struggle privately with anxiety, depression, and a sense of being overwhelmed. From trauma and stress related disorders to obsessive-compulsive behaviors, panic disorders to spiraling thoughts, mental health issues can be debilitating. Recent data indicates that tens of millions of people in this country experience mental health issues each year – 1 in 4 adults to put it in perspective. And that doesn’t account for the large numbers of adolescents who likewise struggle with mental illness.

This is precisely why Mental Health Awareness Month exists. Observed each May since 1949, this mindful month brings an opportunity to not only check in with our own struggles, but also to reach out to others who may feel alone in their angst, fears, and despair.

It’s fitting that the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month this year is More Good days, Together. At Whittier our entire behavioral- health model is built around community, connection, and whole person wellbeing. We integrate behavioral health directly into our primary care model, providing comprehensive mental health support for adults, adolescents, and children.

Our key services include:

• Intake assessment
• Individual, couples, and group therapy
• Medication management
• Trauma Center services

We recognize that stigma often prevents people in need of support from coming forward. We actively work to reduce stigma by:

• Embedding behavioral health in routine medical visits
• Offering walk-in mental health support
• Providing culturally competent care
• Making services accessible regardless of insurance or ability to pay

All services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and licensed mental health counselors.

By taking these measures, mental health conversations can become more normalized, encouraging people to seek help earlier.