The fight to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness has been an ongoing battle for more than 20 years and has led to the formation of many national and global organizations to help spread mental health awareness. This includes the members of the Claremont Teen Committee. On March 30 from 4-5:30 p.m., the Mental Health Awareness Ad Hoc Committee of the Claremont Teen Committee is partnering with Tri City Mental Health to host an event at the YAC to further raise awareness.

The goal of the Mental Health Awareness Ad Hoc Committee is to inform and educate the public on mental illness in order to make it a casual conversation. This event will provide informative videos and activities along with guest speakers, which include mental health professionals and young adults who have struggled with mental illness to help people understand the realities of mental health. The event is open to the whole community, and the Teen Committee members hope that there will be a large turnout of high school students so that younger generations can grow from this information and insight.

“I am proud of the Mental Health Awareness Ad Hoc Committee and their efforts to reduce the stigma associated with receiving mental health services,” Human Services Supervisor and Staff Liaison Katie Distelrath said.

Most people are unaware of the striking numbers of those with mental illnesses because unlike other conditions, illnesses of the brain do not always have obvious or immediately visible symptoms or effects. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and 75% begin by age 24. Ninety percent of those who died by suicide—the second leading cause of death in youths—had an underlying mental illness. That is why this event is so important, especially for younger generations, to raise awareness and understanding.

“It’s going to be really fun, and I think it will impact people in a very positive way because instead of making mental health this awkward thing to talk about, it’s going to open up the conversation on the issue, all while clearly translating the serious effects of mental illness,” Mental Health Awareness Ad Hoc Committee member senior Cade Richmond said.

With this event, the Teen Committee hopes to make mental illness a more easily talked about topic. To learn more about mental health, warning signs, and ways to help, be sure to attend the event on March 30 at the YAC. The Mental Health Awareness Ad Hoc of the Claremont Teen Committee has already made an impact by proposing and setting up the event; they are hoping for a big turn out so more can spread