By Marjorie Morrison, CEO & President of Psych Hub
Through my four years as CEO and founder of PsychArmor, I learned firsthand how to create a movement through online learning. As I looked deeper into issues that veterans face, the more I learned how prevalent those issues are to the entire country’s population.
There are harrowing stats.
- Over 100 Americans die a day from an opioid overdose.
- Suicide claims one death every twelve minutes.
- A quarter of the working population self-reportedly suffers from burn out.
These stats and many others support the claim that we are in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Everyone experiences mental health symptoms at some point in their lives, which is why having access to free, credible content is crucial to our overall well-being. While there is an overwhelming amount of information and resources on mental health online, it can be challenging and time-consuming to sift through the digital noise when one hopes to learn more about a condition that may be affecting yourself or a loved one.
Through screening tools, like those provided by Mental Health America, and short, engaging video content, organizations are increasingly creating the right tools for people to learn. Finding these resources early on in their journey can help them take the crucial next step in getting help or feeling comfortable to talk about what they are experiencing. With these goals in mind, Psych Hub was founded this past year to provide free, best-in-class mental health education for everyone.
We believe that online education and tools are the key to generating awareness; these resources are widely available at any time and place. They can provide individuals with an anonymous experience – an essential factor for many in gaining knowledge on what can be a sensitive topic.
In the mental health space, you hear a lot about sharing stories to help break the stigma. I believe storytelling is one of the most impactful tools in changing how we view and talk about mental health conditions. With the increased use and familiarity of social media, individual stories are more accessible, visible, and capable of generating momentum to form larger communities of support.
When someone hears about another’s experience with mental health, it helps that person feel less alone. Personal stories help normalize mental health conditions and can encourage open dialogue between individuals who may be struggling but are afraid to talk about how they are feeling.
Education is the first step to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. As a culture, we often overlook the fact that without knowledge and understanding of topics ranging from common symptoms to getting treatment, individuals may find it far more difficult to share their stories.
Get educated, share your stories, show compassion, and don’t judge. Together we can change the current mental health climate.
