The Million in May Initiative
While one in five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
Mental Health America has offered quick, free, and private online mental health screens for over six years. Nearly five million people have used our screening program to check on their mental health.
Most of the people who have taken our screens have never been diagnosed with a mental illness before. They use our screening results to start conversations with mental health professionals, family members, or friends. Our screening program helps reduce the duration of untreated mental illness by equipping people with the tools they need to get help.
Think of what we could do if we screened one million people to take a screen this May.
Why screening?
Many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of mental illnesses because they don't recognize the symptoms.
84% of the time between first symptoms and first treatment is spent not recognizing the symptoms of mental illness. 16% of the time is spent getting help.
The delays in treatment for mental illnesses are longer than for many other health conditions. The delay in treatment for some mental illnesses are:
- Anxiety Disorders: 9 to 23 years
- Mood Disorders: 6 to 8 years
- Psychosis: 1 to 2 years
Screening can help catch mental health problems early—B4Stage4. Screening is an anonymous, free and private way to learn about your mental health and if you are showing warning signs of a mental illness. Getting screened increases the chances of getting treatment.
A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful tool for starting a conversation with your doctor or a loved one about your mental health.
Learn more about how screening helps
How you can help
Help us screen one million people by taking a mental health screen yourself, or donating to support our free screening tools all year. $1.25 is all it takes to change the trajectory of someone's life.
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