Why Mental Health Matters

August 6, 2019

According to Mental Health America’s annual State of Mental Health in America report, over 40 million adults have a mental health condition. Of those 40+ million Americans, 1 in 5 adults still aren’t getting the care they need and 61.5% of youth ages 12-17, who had reported a major depression, received no treatment.

Among veterans, experts see a similarly troubling trend.

Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition that requires treatment.

— Mental Health First Aid

What’s more troubling is that only half of that 30% actually receive the treatment they need.

What does this mean for you? 

It’s likely you or someone you know experiences a mental health condition. While access to care is increasing, there is still a call to action for people from all walks of life to become a resource for someone in need. 

Mental Health First Aid certification enables everyday people to become everyday heroes, equipping them with the knowledge and strategies to help others recognize their strengths, identify their support systems, and seek out the resources to get appropriate care.

The Division of Continuing Education offers an area-specific course to meet the needs of its communities, each led by highly trained and certified instructors:

Mental Health First Aid for Veterans

October 18, 2019 • 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Armstrong Center at Georgia Southern • Savannah, GA

For many Americans in service, the battle doesn’t always end when they leave the field. This course gives you the know-how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance abuse challenges while also understanding the unique cultural factors of military life.

Light breakfast and lunch will be served at this workshop. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Senior Program Specialist, Deedee Southerlin, Ed.D., at (912) 478-5555 or at tsoutherlin@georgiasouthern.edu.

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