Miss USA Noelia Voigt has made the difficult decision to give up her crown in order to focus on her mental health, shedding light on the importance of addressing mental health challenges in our society.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, record numbers of people have reported struggling with mental health issues. Approximately 20% of U.S. adults, nearly 60 million Americans, have a diagnosable mental illness. High school students, especially girls, have also reported a decline in mental health in recent years, with anxiety, depression, and suicide rates on the rise.
While government efforts to address the mental health crisis through increased funding and programs are commendable, they may not be enough to tackle the root cause of the issue. Despite significant federal funding increases before the pandemic, mental health challenges continued to rise, indicating that a new approach is needed.
Experts suggest that the mental health crisis is not just a clinical issue but a crisis of community. Building supportive relationships and fostering a sense of belonging are crucial in addressing mental health challenges. Organizations like The Phoenix, The Confess Project, and Give an Hour are already making a difference by promoting sobriety, training barbers and beauty professionals to provide mental health support, and offering peer support training.
As loneliness continues to be a growing concern in America, it is clear that the real solution to the mental health crisis lies in communities coming together and individuals reaching out to one another for support. By recognizing the importance of relationships and mental health support, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues.
