Entering adulthood can be an emotional time, but sometimes the ups and downs can mean something more. Millions of young adults are living with a mental or substance use disorder and many either do not realize they have one or are not paying attention to the signs and not seeking help. In fact, of the 8.9 million young adults who reported having a mental illness in 2018, more than 2 in 5 went untreated and of the 5.1 million with a substance use disorder, nearly 9 in 10 did not get treatment. It is important to remember that asking for help is a normal part of life, and you should never feel like you have to take on the world alone. If you are concerned that you or someone in your life may be drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with mental illness, there are resources available to help.
Entering adulthood can be an emotional time, but sometimes the ups and downs can mean something more. Millions of young adults are living with a mental or substance use disorder and many either do not realize they have one or are not paying attention to the signs and not seeking help. In fact, of the 8.9 million young adults who reported having a mental illness in 2018, more than 2 in 5 went untreated and of the 5.1 million with a substance use disorder, nearly 9 in 10 did not get treatment. It is important to remember that asking for help is a normal part of life, and you should never feel like you have to take on the world alone. If you are concerned that you or someone in your life may be drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with mental illness, there are resources available to help.
Dr. Charles Smith, the Regional Administrator at SAMHSA, otherwise known as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Dr. Smith is a representative of the Assistant Secretary and the lead Federal Authority for Mental Health and Substance use and works to advance the behavioral health system of care. He is also a father. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
If you are concerned that a friend or family member is struggling with substance abuse we encourage you to initiate a conversation. Some prompts can be found at: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tay-conversation-starters.pdf and https://robbies-hope.com/wp-content/uploads/Adult-Handbook-2019.pdf
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