Leading Locally: Mayors Taking Steps to Address Mental Health Challenges
Cities like Chicago, Illinois and Macon-Bibb, Georgia have invested in initiatives to increase access to mental health services and reduce the stigma around mental illness.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, nearly one in five Americans reported experiencing mental health challenges, and fewer than half were receiving treatment. As COVID-19 spread through our cities and exacerbated this mental health epidemic, it quickly became apparent that America’s health care system was not prepared to handle these dual crises.
Moreover, the mental health challenges experienced by America’s youth continue to increase by staggering numbers — and research has shown that social media plays a central role. From 2001 to 2019, the suicide rate for adolescents ages 10 to 19 jumped by 40 percent, and emergency room visits for self-harm rose by 88 percent. Among girls in particular, emergency room visits for attempted suicide in 2021 increased by more than 50 percent compared to 2020. And according to Harvard’s Fall 2021 Youth Poll, more than half of young Americans reported having felt down, depressed, and hopeless — and 25% had thoughts of self-harm at least several times within two weeks of participating in the survey.
While it’s often referred to as a “silent pandemic,” mayors see clearly how mental health challenges affect their communities. In many cities, there simply are not enough mental health professionals to meet the surge in demand they’ve seen over the past two years. Thousands of Americans with mental health challenges do not know where to begin looking for help, and the stigma associated with mental illness has prevented far too many from ever seeking help in the first place.
But mayors also know that there are answers, and they are leading with action. Today, mayors are making investments and working with local non-profits, businesses and community groups to create new initiatives that will help residents access mental health services and reduce the stigma.
For example, in Macon-Bibb, Georgia, Mayor Lester Miller launched “Macon Mental Health Matters,” a program that offers free mental health counseling for residents in recreation and community centers in neighborhoods. It also offers financial counseling and non-traditional mental health activities such as yoga and exercise classes for all who wish to attend. The program was made possible through an initial $600,000 investment of federal CARES Act funding and a partnership with the Southern Center for Choice Theory.
As Mayor Lester Miller noted when he announced the initiative, “This program incorporates a holistic approach for reducing recidivism, resolving conflict without using violence, and increasing access to mental health care to the Macon-Bibb community. This is a no-cost health clinic for the members of our community who need it most.”
In Chicago, Illinois, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently announced the launch of “UN[]SPOKEN,” a six-week, city-wide campaign focused on reducing the stigma around mental health challenges, particularly in Black and Brown communities. The campaign highlighted the stories of Chicago residents through a video series on the campaign’s website, advertisements in local newspapers, and display panels on mass transit.
The UN[]SPOKEN campaign also helped direct Chicago residents to mental health care services throughout the city, including mental health centers and community counselors. The website contains a map of mental health services in every neighborhood in Chicago, and features resources for people to learn about their mental health.
In announcing the campaign, Mayor Lightfoot acknowledged that the pandemic “has exacerbated many of the socioeconomic stressors that drive mental illness.” Mayor Lightfoot said that Chicago “will be able to not only raise more awareness about and connect residents to the wealth of mental healthcare resources our city has to offer but further root the recovery of our communities at the heart of our COVID-19 response.”
Individuals struggling with mental health challenges shouldn’t face a “silent” struggle. They don’t have to feel alone. Mayors know that mental health is just as important as physical health, which is why they will continue working to ensure that every individual has equitable access to the mental health resources they need to stay healthy.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month this May, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will be highlighting how mayors are working to address mental health in their cities.
Tom Cochran is CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors
