Let’s talk about mental illness. Sadly, the events of 2020 – from the global pandemic to racial/social tensions and the tumultuous election – have fueled our nation’s growing crisis. Two in five U.S. residents report struggling with issues including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Those in the 18-25 age group have been hit particularly hard, and thoughts of suicide have increased across the population, including among young children. Although our goals shifted because of the pandemic, the Risa Fund has continued to support our partners during this challenging time and has embraced promising new partnerships to address the needs of youth and young adults.
Read More...
You may have read about the mental health crisis in our nation. A recent Washington Post article reveals, “from 2007 to 2017, the number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24…increased 56 percent.”* At the Risa Fund, we have never been more compelled to act. That’s why, in 2020, we will delve further into the issues most critical to us: transitional age mental health challenges, suicide prevention, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Read More...