Mental health awareness is the ability to learn about different disorders, their symptoms and what to look out for. The knowledge helps people understand their own wellbeing and take care of themselves as well as the people around them. It also helps to eliminate stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour.

Mental illness affects 19% of adults, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year in the US. Yet only half of those who need help receive it. Untreated, it contributes to higher medical costs, lower productivity at work and school and a greater likelihood of suicide.

Fortunately, the world is making milestone improvements in mental health treatment. These include sweeping reforms in institutions, government policies and advocacy groups like NAMI. But despite these successes, there is still much work to do. Stigma and misperceptions about mental illness remain high and prevent people from getting the help they need.

To reduce these barriers, mental health awareness campaigns can include positive language and empathetic approaches. They can be targeted at specific demographics to resonate with them, with messages that are relevant and credible to their lives. They should be designed to encourage help-seeking by promoting the same treatment options as for other conditions like diabetes or cancer.

While the causes of many mental illnesses are debated, it’s clear that a combination of factors play into their development and progression. Mental health awareness should be promoted through a broad range of avenues, including progressive government policies, an engaged media, a vibrant educational system, responsive industries and cross-synergies across various platforms.