Mental health remains a critical issue in the United States, with over one in five adults living with a mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. In 2021, this figure amounted to 57.8 million individuals.

In addition to these numbers, the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report by Mental Health America (MHA) reveals startling statistics: nearly 30% of adults with a mental illness did not receive the treatment they needed, with 42% citing financial barriers. Over 54% of adults with a mental illness—totaling more than 28 million people—go untreated. The report also cited that 15.35% of adults had a substance use disorder within the past year and of those people, 93.5% did not receive any form of treatment. Additionally, more than one in 10 U.S. youth suffer from severe depression that disrupts their daily lives, yet 59.8% of youth with major depression receive no mental health treatment. The ratio of mental health providers to individuals in the U.S. stands at 1 to 350, further highlighting the crisis.

Even worse, Alabama ranks 48th in the nation for mental health, reflecting a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care in our state.

In response to these challenges, MHA has established the Young Leaders Council (YLC) to empower the next generation of mental health advocates. The YLC identifies young leaders, aged 18-25, who have developed programs and initiatives to address mental health support and resource gaps in their communities. Each year, 10 leaders are selected from a highly competitive pool, with an acceptance rate of just 3% from over 2,000 applicants since the program's inception in 2017.

Selected participants engage in a six-month term, where they connect and share ideas with peers across the country. The program includes monthly 90-minute meetings, one-on-one mentoring, opportunities to present at MHA events and platforms to share their work through MHA's website and social media. Members also join the Expanding Impact Network, which offers ongoing training and community building with other MHA youth program graduates. Additionally, each participant receives a $1,000 stipend.

YLC alumni have gone on to secure leadership positions in esteemed organizations such as Google, UNICEF, the National Academies of Sciences and the White House. Their efforts have been recognized by media outlets like Teen Vogue and partner organizations, including the National Governors Association.

And for those looking to fight the stigmatization, bring awareness and assist those in our community, applications for the 2024-2025 Young Leaders Council are now open, but act fast as applications are due by Aug. 16. Interested applicants can apply online at https://mhanational.org/young-leaders/council/application. For questions on the application or help completing the application, interested parties can contact Jackie Menjivar, MHA's Manager of Peer and Youth Advocacy, at jmenjivar@mhanational.org.

Notifications of selection will be sent by Sept. 9.

Mental illness can cast a shadow on those living with it, but anyone can be a beacon of hope, driving innovative mental health solutions and fostering the next generation of mental health leaders.