The HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative
Reducing the burden of the current mental health crisis in Dallas- one family at a time.
Mission and Purpose
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MISSION STATEMENT
The HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative (HMHI) was established to raise public awareness of the current mental health crisis in the Dallas and surrounding areas and provide mental health education and services to those most in need.
PURPOSE
The HMHI will raise awareness of the current mental health crisis in Dallas and the surrounding area through community education, outreach, and counseling services to improve the mental health and increase outcomes for children, adolescents, parents, and families.
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Why the HMHI?
Even with our knowledge of the mental health crisis, the vast majority of Americans are still denied access to high-quality psychological services, disproportionately so among underserved communities.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC and Mental Health America reported surges in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The COVID-19 Pandemic also had a disproportionate impact on youth, leading to 50% of 11-17-year-olds experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm post-pandemic (and growing).
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•1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year. (NAMI)
•64.7% of Texans age 12–17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year. (NAMI)
•In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents (ages 12-17) across the U.S.
Post-Pandemic State of Mental Health
Mental Health America (MHA):
“As the pandemic relentlessly persists, we are seeing the highest levels of anxiety and depression reported since the pandemic hit the U.S. in March. This is a troubling trend being fueled by loneliness and isolation. We are also seeing alarming numbers of children reporting thoughts of suicide and self-harm. The 2021 State of Mental Health in America report confirms the trend that mental health in the U.S. continues to get worse and many states are ill-prepared to handle this crisis and policymakers at every level of government need to act immediately.”
(Source: MHA 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report)
How will this help the community?
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The HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative is a non-profit organization which will provide evidence-based mental health treatments to clients in the Dallas community at no cost to the clients.
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•Benefits to clients: free high-quality, culturally sensitive mental healthcare
•Benefits to therapists/providers: direct clinical experience, administrative support, an opportunity to take part in a national effort to broaden mental health access, equity, and inclusion, as well as free CE offerings, opportunities for speaking engagements, and social networking events through the HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative.