Napa Spotlight
June 2023
The Mental Health Crisis Is HERE In Napa County
by Gwen McGill
50% of Californians aged 18-24 feel anxious nearly every day.1 Fewer than half of Americans who have a mental health disorder get proper treatment.2 And, on average in the United States, one person dies every 11 minutes by suicide.
Chances are you, a family member, or a friend has been touched by this national mental health crisis. Over the last three years, the situation has worsened, and many are still reeling from the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s worse, our children are struggling, right here in our community: 19% of 11 graders in Napa seriously contemplated suicide, and 50% reported that they felt chronically sad or hopeless3, a 25% increase from pre-COVID.
Access to mental health treatment and prevention services – combined with persistent stigma, cultural and linguistic barriers, and lack of insurance4–is one of the most pressing issues in Napa County.
For 75 years Mentis Has Served Our Community
Today, Mentis continues to grow and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the Napa Valley community. From everyday well-being to disaster response, Mentis is here to make sure its diverse community has the mental health tools and resources they need to thrive. Mentis provides a full continuum of mental health and wellness services, from prevention programs to mental health treatment, for people of all ages in Napa County. Mentis spearheads collaboration with dozens of local agencies, school districts and state officials to ensure all Napa County residents can access quality mental healthcare.
Prevention
Wellness programs educate and support the community on good mental health right from the start, helping people weather the inevitable challenges life can bring. Mentis Wellness Cafés™ and outreach events, Mentis’ youth-driven Teens Connect program and QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings, serve our community to offer coping tools, social connection, connection to resources and to intervene to prevent mental health crises.
Healing
Outpatient services including therapy and case management and provide access to mental health therapy to youth in our schools and adults throughout the community, regardless of one’s ability to pay. When people develop the skills to cope with difficult life events or issues, it makes life better for our community members and those around them.
Housing
Residential services allow adults with mental illness to be given the tools and encouragement they need to live independently so that their ability to reach their own desired goals increases.
Mentis envisions a future where EVERY member of our community has the tools and resources to live the life they want to live. Our community’s mental health cannot be ignored, and demand continues to exceed available services. Visit the Mentis Community Resource Database and learn more about how to give to Mentis at www.mentisnapa.org.
1 Annie E Casey Foundation Data Center, December 2022
2 National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD).
3 California Healthy Kids Survey, 2020-21 School Year
4 California Health Care Foundation