Montgomery, Ala. – Each year in May, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) celebrates Mental Health Month with other national organizations to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. The ADMH and community providers supported essential mental illness and substance use disorder services for approximately 140,000 Alabamians in 2021 and thousands more through partnerships.
All Alabamians experience difficulty and mental health challenges in their lives but should feel comfortable in seeking help and support without the barriers of stigma or lack of access to care. All individuals in a mental health or substance use crisis must have someone to call, someone to come to them and someplace to go.
To address these concerns and needs, Governor Ivey and the Legislature have created and renewed the 9-8-8 Commission, funded six crisis diversion centers, expanded rural crisis care programs and the Stepping Up Initiative. These initiatives further the goals of the ADMH’s Alabama Crisis System of Care, saving lives and dollars.
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Month is Together for Mental Health and in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the department supports bringing voices together to advocate for mental health. Throughout the month, ADMH will highlight the stories of individuals served in these programs. The ADMH is also hosting the annual Strike Out Stigma Game on May 6, the 17th annual Capitol Art Showcase all month long, and celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, May 1-7, 2022, to celebrate positive mental health.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month, please contact the Office of Public Information at publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov or 334-242-3417.