Governor Little Declares May Mental Health Awareness Month in Idaho

Governor Little has proclaimed May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness Month. He calls for Idahoans to pursue mental health treatments and educate those surrounding us. The mental health of Idahoans impacts both quality of life and the community as a whole. We want to thank Governor Little for his constant efforts to advance mental health awareness in Idaho.

With the Governor’s proclamation, IBHA, insurance groups, providers, patient advocates, and all who educate and advocate for mental and behavioral health can start bringing more awareness to a topic that often gets swept under the rug. Mental health enormously impacts one’s life and affects how we think, feel, and act. Our ability to make sound decisions, connect to those around us, be efficient at our jobs, and handle stressful situations connects directly to our mental health.

By having May as Mental Health Awareness Month, we can target schools and educate students on the importance of caring for their mental health. We aim to raise a generation of Idahoans who look after themselves and those around them to ensure they have happier and healthier lives. Educating the public on recognizing the signs of symptoms associated with mental health problems or substance abuse is a vital first step in conquering the mental health crisis.

Awareness is essential for growth, and for most individuals being aware that resources are available is just as supportive as seeking help. Individuals find comfort in knowing that their city, school, job, or state has resources available if they need care. By creating a positive narrative around mental and behavioral health, more people will be utilizing the resources available, leading to lower suicide and substance abuse rates in Idaho’s youth.

Governor Little’s proclamation states Idaho ranks 45th in the nation for children’s private insurance not covering mental and emotional problems, leading to over 18,000 of Idaho’s youth not receiving treatment for depression just in 2022. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in youth can be crucial to the future generation’s mental health as an adult. Thus, Idaho can make strides towards lowering its mental health illness in our young population and long-term in the adult population.

Another key feature of the proclamation is identifying the need for mental and behavioral health in Idaho. Nearly 25% of Idaho adults live with a mental health condition, and 40,000 Idaho adults with a mental illness are uninsured. The proclamation identifies having access to the necessary mental health services is in the best interest of the state as a whole for outcomes, productivity, and fiscal responsibility.

IBHA’s mission is to create safe and accessible mental and behavioral health care for all Idahoans. Access to resources is vital for completing this goal, and citizens need to be able to access resources to achieve the help they require; this is the first step that IBHA is taking, and every small step along the way is essential. Through education, IBHA aims to provide to break down stigmas and create more accessible mental health care in Idaho.