Didi Hirsch mourns the students and teachers we lost from Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts grieve with their families, loved ones, and everyone affected. This tragedy is felt across the country and it's valid to feel angry, sad, and anxious, among other things.

Didi Hirsch is here for you. If you are in despair, call 800-273-8255 or visit us at didihirsch.org. 

For resources, visit The National Child Traumatic Stress Network -
It's the last few days of Mental Health Is Health Month. We continue to spread awareness on suicide prevention and prioritize mental well-being. With everything going on in the world and our fast-paced society, life can get in the way. It’s essential now more than ever to keep track of your mental health. Seek help from a trained professional and make time for YOU.  

You can help your friends and loved ones by sharing our campaign. You can be the champion to help save and transform their lives. 
This week's theme: Whole-Person Care
More than half of people with mental illness also have other health problems and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. In addition to mental health support, Didi Hirsch offers integrated whole-person care, substance-use treatment, employment and housing services. 

Didi Hirsch:

  • Served 588 clients in our Medical Care Coordination (MCC) Program in 2021. 
  • Nearly three out of four clients enrolled in MCC reported they liked the services offered for their health needs.
  • 65% of clients report that they now know where to get help for their physical health problems
  • Strives to link clients with a primary care physician if they do not have one. 
  • Helps clients navigate the healthcare system, ensuring they get proper access and equity in their care. 
  • Reduced the number of clients with physical health hospitalizations between intake and discharge by 91%.
  • Developed training series on whole-person care and the impact of physical health on mental health and vice versa.
  • Offers outpatient substance use services at clinics, including medication-assisted therapy.
  • Served 478 clients in our 3 residential properties, offering 3 balanced meals per day, holistic care, and comprehensive mental health services.
  • Provides counseling, housing, parenting and employment help to mothers with mental illness and substance use needs through our Via Avanta program.

Statistics

  • People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions.
  • 32.1% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2020 (17 million individuals)
  • People with severe mental disorders (SMD) − i.e., schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, and moderate‐to‐severe depression − die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population. The majority of deaths in individuals with SMD are due to preventable physical diseases, especially cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and infections.

More information at National Library of Medicine click here.

For Mental Health By the Numbers visit click here. 
ADVOCATE
The Children’s Partnership (TCP) and the National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) have just released a report, Youth-Centered Strategies for Hope, Healing and Health, from The Hope, Healing and Health Collective (H3 Collective), a youth-led policy council that worked to elevate the voices of marginalized youth, particularly Black girls, Latina girls, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ youth in developing policy solutions to address their own mental health needs, as well as the mental health of all marginalized youth of color in this country.

The report sets forth actionable solutions that policy-makers at the federal, state and local levels can implement to build a culturally-responsive and gender-affirming mental health care system for all youth, especially youth of color.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes - The role of mental health advocates in advancing legislation. Read here
Therapy & Support Groups - Crisiscare.org
Therapy and support groups are available for people who have attempted suicide, lost a loved one to suicide, caregivers, and frontline workers or first responders that have burned out and need support with trauma.

Our licensed clinicians provide short-term individual and family therapy to help people cope with loss, enhance their resilience and develop strategies to keep themselves safe.

Specialized support groups are available in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties and via telehealth for all California residents.
DONATE
The Power of Donation - as a collective, your contribution makes an impact, especially in our communities most vulnerable to recent traumas and long-standing inequities. 

Donate today and your gift will go twice as far as part of our Mental Health Is Health Month matching gift. Your support will help us provide whole-person care that ensures the comprehensive needs of our clients are met.
ACTIVATE ON SOCIAL
Ignite the #mentalhealthishealth social movement.
Ask a Therapist ft. Yolanda Jauregui, Ed.D, MMFT, PPS

Didi Hirsch has activated influencer therapists to answer questions from the Didi Hirsch Instagram account once a week. See more
How I Look/How I Feel Challenge

Activate and encourage others to post the juxtaposition of how they feel with an image depicting how they "really" feel inside. See more
5/27 Instagram Live with Self Care is for Everyone and Sarah Gilman

Authentic conversations and real perspectives.

Missed today's IG live? Catch it here
MEDIA COVERAGE
  • MTV Teams Up with White House on Mental Health. Selena Gomez and Didi Hirsch’s Youth Ambassador Adia Fadaei were in attendance in Washington D.C. See here for a quick glimpse.

  • Eat for a cause during Memorial Day weekend. Sur Restaurant and Lounge in West Hollywood will be donating proceeds from sales of their Goad Cheese Balls to Didi Hirsch through May 31. Read it here.
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month along with Mental Health Awareness. Didi Hirsch provides insightful information to help educate and empower. According to a recent SAMSHA survey, compared to other racial and ethnic groups, AAPI’s are least likely to seek mental health treatment. 
 
The stigma associated with mental health issues can lead to denial or neglect of mental health problems, especially among first-generation AAPI immigrants. To read more click here

AAPI youth statistics - according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health:

  • Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian American teenagers. To read more click here
  • Asian Americans are three times less likely than others to use mental health services
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth are more than twice as likely to have unmet mental health needs.




Statistics:

  • In 2020, there was an estimated 1.20M suicide attempts.
  • Close to 46,000 Americans died by suicide the same year.
  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15-24.
Sponsors
We appreciate our supporters and sponsors for MHIHM. This movement will continue thanks to our partnerships with:
Social Media Toolkit
This week as we focus on whole person care, we encourage you to share these graphics and stats to spread awareness:
Mental Health is Health Month continues! Together we can make a difference to help get people the care they need.  Please share our campaign, our tool kit is available here.
Upcoming
LGTBQ+ History Month

Didi Hirsch will be celebrating LGTBQ+ History Month with our local communities. Our team will participate in the:

  • WEHO PRIDE parade on June 5. For more information, click here 

  • Long Beach PRIDE on July 9 and 10. For more information, click here
For more information, go to www.didihirsch.org
call 310-751-5420