In light of our evolving attitudes towards mental health, May arrives as an opportune moment to deepen our commitment to awareness, advocacy, and action. The statistics paint a stark picture of the prevalence and impact of mental illness across the United States. With 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youths (NAMI) experiencing mental health disorders each year, the scope of this issue is undeniable. It not only affects individuals but also permeates through families, communities, and the broader society (CDC). From increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to higher rates of unemployment and homelessness the ramifications of mental illness are far-reaching (American Heart Association). These issues neglect to highlight the intersection of mental health and substance use disorders (Vu, Li, Haardorfer, Windle, & Berg, 2019). As we confront these realities, it is thus crucial to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, inclusivity and empowerment.
Mental Health in Monterey County
Our small, yet mighty Monterey County community has witnessed a profound shift in recent years, namely in decreasing mental health stigma. However, mental health is consequently emerging as a pressing concern that demands further attention, advocacy, and action.
Within Monterey County, the collaborative efforts of six organizations in 2022 has pinpointed mental health as the second most critical concern in the 831 after diabetes mellitus. The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) utilized robust methodologies, including stakeholder input, phone interviews, and online surveys accounting for a comprehensive dataset of 3,149 responses in both English and Spanish. This underscores the urgent need to enhance mental health services, emphasizing comprehensive support for community wellbeing.
Nationwide, the 988 —colloquially known as the suicide and crisis— hotline serves as a vital lifeline for individuals in distress, offering immediate support and intervention. Within the context of our county, the data collected through the hotline identifies interesting trends, patterns, and areas of heightened need within our community, helping with the understanding of Monterey County’s mental health challenges. This data not only sheds light on the specific issues faced by our community members but also guides the development of targeted interventions and support services catered to different age groups, genders and minority groups.
Figure 1. As of March 2024, the figures above present a comprehensive bar and pie graph illustrating the utilization of the 988 hotline in Monterey County. Both graphs delineate a breakdown of different age groups seeking assistance and support through the hotline.
*Data was provided by the Suicide Prevention Service program of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast.
Addressing mental health is often easier said than done, as it requires a concerted effort across multiple disciplines and sectors. While the recognition of mental health as a critical public health issue has grown in recent years, translating this awareness into meaningful action poses numerous challenges. One of the primary obstacles is the pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness, which can hinder individuals from seeking help and accessing necessary support services. Moreover, the complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to mental health challenges necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to
intervention and support.
Figure 2. The figures provide insights into the demographics of callers reaching out to the services of 988 in 2024 thus far (January-March). While the data is based on voluntary disclosure and may not be comprehensive, it offers valuable information on both gender and race/ethnicity representation and serves as a reference point to tailoring services to meet the needs of all individuals.
*Data was provided by the Suicide Prevention Service program of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast.
A multidisciplinary approach to mental health acknowledges that effective solutions require collaboration among various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, educators, community organizations, and individuals with lived experiences. The urge for accessible and culturally competent mental health services is palpable, particularly in communities grappling with the complexities of mental health challenges. The CHNA identified Access to Health Care Services as the third leading problem, the need for comprehensive mental health support is underscored even further. The CHNA’s recognition of this issue emphasizes the urgent need to bridge the gap between individuals seeking mental health care and the services available to them.
As a CSUMB student, there are several resources that students can leverage. While direct student-specific tools such as You@CSUMB and the Personal Growth and Counseling Center exist to give students mental health tips and individual guidance, there are many more options. Namely, students may consider utilizing the many wellness-based resources on campus such as the dedicated meditation rooms in the Otter Student Union building and participating in physical activity via the various Exercise is Medicine—On Campus activities (Exercise is Medicine on Campus). Research demonstrates that training the mind through meditation (McGee, 2008) and physical activity (Grave, 2020) yields independent benefits to the mind. It is more clear than ever before that mental health is a multifaceted issue, and thus it is important that we employ an equally comprehensive plan to remedy it.
References
- 2022 Monterey County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) | county of Monterey, CA. (n.d.).
https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/health/general/accredita tion/2022-monterey-county-community-health-needs-assessment-chna - 988 California. (n.d.). https://www.988california.org/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 16). About mental health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm - CSUMB. College of Health Sciences and Human Services. Exercise is Medicine On Campus | California State University Monterey Bay.
https://csumb.edu/kinesiology/exercise-medicine-campus/ - Family Service Agency. Family Service Agency -. (2023, August 9). https://fsa-cc.org/ 6. Grave, R, D. (2020). Nutrition and fitness: Mental health, Nutrients, 12(6), 1804. 7. Importance of housing and Cardiovascular Health and well-being: A scientific statement
from the American Heart Association | Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and outcomes. (n.d.). https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000089 8. Mental health by the numbers. NAMI. (2024, February 12).
https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/ 9. McGee, M. (2008). Meditation and psychiatry. Psychiatry (Edgemont), 5(1), 28-41. 10. Vu, M., Li, J., Haardorfer, R., Windle, M., & Berg, C. J. (2019, January 23). Mental
health and substance use among women and men at the intersections of identities and experiences of discrimination: Insights from the intersectionality framework – BMC public health. BioMed Central.
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-6430-0