Mental health awareness is the ability to recognize and support individuals with mental illness. It is a complex issue with many underlying factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, genetic predispositions and exposure to trauma. However, individuals with a high level of mental health awareness are in a better position to seek help when needed and to advocate for greater funding and access to care.
Education plays a major role in raising mental health awareness, and school-based programs have been shown to reduce student absenteeism and improve academic performance. Educators can provide students with the tools and resources they need to recognize when a peer may be struggling, as well as offer encouragement for seeking help. This can be challenging, however, given concerns about oversimplifying complicated issues or inadvertently reinforcing stereotypes.
There is also a concern that the increased awareness surrounding mental health has not been matched by a similar increase in access to treatment. Referrals and waiting lists continue to rise, particularly among young people.2 This can be due to increased demand, a lack of treatment availability and/or stigma.
A third concern is that mental health awareness campaigns can sometimes alienate the very individuals they aim to support. Individuals with the most severe symptoms can feel they are being ignored while the conversation is dominated by those with milder difficulties. This can leave them feeling like they are being dismissed, rather than encouraged to seek help. Educators can counter this by promoting a balanced approach to mental health, including the importance of self-care and supporting individuals with the most severe symptoms.