World Mental Health Day
“There is no health without mental health,” said the Secretary-General, noting that mental disorders are responsible for 13 per cent of the global disease burden. “Resources allocated for mental health by governments and civil society are habitually too little, both in human and financial terms.”
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations News Centre
Today (October 10) is World Mental Health Day.The theme this year is "Investing in mental health."
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the state of California receives a C for its investment in mental health:
"Sadly, California’s mental health care system is hostage to the state’s massive budget crisis. For years, the system has seemed poised for progress, but now could easily find its foundation crumbling. Continued stagnation or slippage will be tragic for the lives of individuals and families who confront mental illness every day."
Excerpted from the most recent state report card (2009). View NAMI's report.
At Family & Children Services, we are grateful to the individual donors, corporations, and foundations whose support allows us to provide our high quality mental health care to children, teens, and adults who are low-income, uninsured, and underinsured. Thanks to you, individuals and families receive help with depression, healing from traumatic events, mental illness, and profound stresses.
We are particularly grateful to the volunteers of Valle Monte League, who have raised funds for mental health care in Santa Clara Valley since 1950. Family & Children Services' mental health programs have benefited from Valle Monte League's fundraising efforts (including the wonderful Christmas Tree Elegance events) since 1954.
Of course, the need is great and growing.
Today, we honor children, teens, and adults who are living with mental health issues and the loved ones who form their circles of support.
