How ANMH is Improving Pro-Mental Health Infrastructure and How You Can Too

Written By Joy Chen

The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis. 1 in 5 adults have experienced symptoms of both depression and anxiety in 2023 alone.[1] Further, deaths from substance abuse disorders and suicide more than doubled between 2000 and 2017.[2] Research suggests that the lack of cost-effective pro-mental health infrastructure is a key driver in the crisis.[3] This post will explore opportunities to improve pro-mental health infrastructure, how ActNow for Mental Health (ANMH) is actively bridging the gap, and what you can do.

What is Pro-Mental Health Infrastructure?

There are several definitions for a pro-mental health infrastructure; however, it is traditionally seen as using a holistic approach to address historic gaps in the behavioral health continuum of care. Additionally, pro-mental health infrastructure meets the growing demand for mental health services through various approaches across the life span. Pro-mental health infrastructure includes  increasing access to care, improved affordability, enhanced provider availability, and upgraded healthy built environments.

Best Practices for Improving Pro-Mental Health Infrastructure

Access to affordable and accessible mental health therapy services is a good starting point. Short-term therapy can provide long-term benefits that medication alone cannot.[4] Providing access to mental health therapies of all kinds is an important component in building a pro-mental health infrastructure. Further, improving access to peer support systems allows people to develop communal healing through shared experiences. Peer support is known to improve resilience, goal setting, perceived confidence, and risky behaviors. [5]

How Is ANMH Improving Pro-Mental Health Infrastructure?

Improved Access to Mental Health Services and Building the Mental Health Workforce

ANMH provides free therapy services to young adults, improving their access and affordability of care. Additionally, most of ANMH’s clinicians are students working towards their Master’s degree. Our clinical interns are required by their teaching institution to complete a certain amount of real-world, supervised sessions. With ANMH as the connector, our volunteer supervisors are helping to train the future mental health workforce.

Offering More Opportunities for Peer Support

ANMH offers several peer support groups, offering young adults an opportunity to join a group that best suits their needs. Our Queer Support Group, Post-Election Support Group, and Women’s Support Group provide accessible opportunities to build connections.

How Can You Improve Mental Health Infrastructure in Your Community?

Improve Access to Green Space

Another key aspect of building a pro-mental health infrastructure is physical infrastructure improvements that naturally improve mental health. Exposure to greenspace can restorate mental capacity and improve emotions. In fact, various therapies often utilize greenspace as a part of their intervention by integrating horticulture, environmental conservation, or nature-based art projects.[6] Further, policies at the  local, state, and federal levels that promote the development or preservation of greenspaces are critical to promote pro-mental health living conditions. To share the importance of greenspace and mental health, you can find and contact your elected officials at usa.gov/elected-officials  

Support Organizations That are Building Pro-Mental Health Infrastructure

Mental health services require funding from governmental entities, private businesses, and philanthropic organizations to be sustainable. However, funding for individual organizations offering mental health therapy and other services are also beneficial. . Another great way to increase funding is to donate to causes that are important to you, like mental health providers and services. Currently, most of ANMH’s administrative and clinical work is completed by our amazing volunteers. To further expand our reach, ANMH needs additional funding. Please consider making a donation to ANMH to help us continue building pro-mental health infrastructure. 

Engaging with social media posts is another great way to show your support for pro-mental health infrastructure. You can follow and interact with ANMH onInstagram,X,Tumblr, andLinkedIn to show your support for the work we do.

References

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/what-cdc-is-doing.html

[2] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10126977/

[4] https://mhanational.org/science-behind-therapy

[5]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9508871/#:~:text=Studies%20of%20peer%20support%20interventions,competence%2C%20and%20decrease%20risky%20behaviours.

[6]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663018/#:~:text=Green%20spaces%20provide%20vital%20health,mental%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing.

Joy Chen