Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Thriving Mind joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), serious mental illnesses (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) affected 7.45% and 20% of the U.S. adult population, respectively. In addition, both SMI and SUD are strongly associated with poverty. For those living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), the estimated prevalence is even higher, with at least 27.45% of that population having some form of SMI or SUD. South Florida, comprised of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, has a known population of 2.8 million, with the total population including both documented and undocumented individuals estimated at more than 3 million. In 2021, over 1 million individuals (1,047,107) across Miami-Dade and Monroe counties were below 200% of the FPL.

According to the NSDUH, in 2021 there was an estimated 287,431 individuals with SMI/SUD service needs in our service area comprised of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. In addition, according to a Department of Health and Human Services report, for youth ages 9-17 years, the estimated number of children considered to have serious emotional disturbances (SED) increased over 2% in Thriving Mind’s service area from 2018 to 2020.