Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 38.0% of adults in West Virginia reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, compared to 32.3% of adults in the U.S. Untreated mental health illness can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and/or suicide.
Those facing a Suicide or Crisis can connect to a crisis counselor by texting or calling the National Suicide & Crisis lifeline at 988 or by dialing 911 to reach emergency personnel.
