Mental Health USA is a nonprofit organization that works to transform our nation’s traditional approach and treatment of mental illness. Our nation's doctors, the Surgeon General, the National Institute of Health, and the National Institute of Mental Health confirm that 1 in 4 Americans live with a mental illness and at least half of all Americans will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.
The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many individuals from seeking help. Limited or no access to psychiatrists for those who do seek treatment continues at an alarming rate. Nationally, hospitals continually experience a severe shortage of hospital beds for those in need of immediate care for their mental health. This often leads to crisis for the individual as well as for their family and loved ones. Untreated mental health difficulties often lead to isolation, substance use disorders, homelessness, incarceration, and all too often suicide.
The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many individuals from seeking help. Limited or no access to psychiatrists for those who do seek treatment continues at an alarming rate. Nationally, hospitals continually experience a severe shortage of hospital beds for those in need of immediate care for their mental health. This often leads to crisis for the individual as well as for their family and loved ones. Untreated mental health difficulties often lead to isolation, substance use disorders, homelessness, incarceration, and all too often suicide.
Mental Health USA works to erase the stigma and create caring, supportive communities for individuals living with mental health difficulties and for their families. We do this by bringing awareness of mental illness through public speaking, workshops, education, and by providing quality training. As a Christian organization we collaborate with educational institutions, religious organizations, public safety entities, and other community partners to create safe and healthy environments that promote both nurturing and healing of the individual and support for their families. Click here to read our story and learn about our beginnings: Restoration Ministries
About the Founder
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Valerie is a credentialed minister and endorsed Mental Health-Pastoral Care Chaplain. She has a passion to bring awareness of mental illness to the Church and to help train and equip the Body of Christ to recognize and effectively minister to individuals who are living with mental & emotional illness. Valerie is Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team Certified (CIT) and is a CIT role-play coach and evaluator. She is actively bringing Mental Health Awareness and Crisis Intervention Training to our Schools, Law-enforcement agencies, Churches, and the community at large. As a certified instructor of Mental Health First Aid, she enjoys holding trainings while at the same time meeting new people and building a collaborative safety net within the community. As a Chaplain, she enjoys doing Mental Health presentations and workshops at churches and church conferences around the country. Valerie and her husband John have been married for 34 years. They have four amazing adult children and four grandchildren! |
