Prince William County Public Schools

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

As we reflect on the past year, and how much our PWCS community has overcome, it's important to pause, and take time to reflect on how resilient we are. Our mental health is and incredibly important part of our overall health, and critical in our ability to support our families, work effectively, participate in school, and contribute to society in meaningful ways.

In partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), PWCS recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This year's message is "Together for Mental Health," and our focus is to bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care.

Hylton High School Participates in Between the Bells

Mental health awareness is critical in supporting our students, families, staff, and communities. It takes a community to come together in meaningful ways to spotlight this awareness and general mental health wellness. Over the past month, PWCS highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month through a community expo, school-sponsored awareness walks, and fairs.

As this year's Mental Health Awareness Month comes to end, PWCS is sharing an event Hylton High School organized in early May called Between the Bells, an interactive program designed by To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), for high school students to spark authentic conversations about mental health and to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone. Through an anonymous survey, students revealed that anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts were the most common mental health concerns they are struggling with and counselors were present during lunch shifts throughout the week to provide students with valuable resources available to them in the area and nationwide.

The most impactful activity was the Response Wall. Students used sticky notes to share their feelings by writing what they wanted to say and hear. The wall grew over four days as students, faculty, and staff shared what they wished to say and/or hear. The notes were filled with emotion and brought many to tears. Coles District School board member, Lisa Zargarpur, visited and was available during lunches to listen to students. The program was eye-opening for the school community and Hylton plans to use the data to collect further develop targeted counseling programming for students next year.

Fast Facts

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and less than half of them receive treatment.
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience a serious mental illness each year, and less than two-thirds of them receive treatment.
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
• The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
• 55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist.
• 1 in 5 young people report that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health.
• 1 in 10 young people under age 18 experience a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• In 2020, there was a 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits among U.S. adolescents.
• Three quarters of Americans (75%) say they are not content with the state of mental health treatment in this country. That is particularly true if they are diagnosed with a mental health condition (84%).
• 60% of Americans are concerned about the stigma around mental illness.
• Less than half (49%) of Americans consider themselves familiar with the U.S. mental health care system.