Vera Lee - Mental Health in the US

As she was overseas, Vera Lee, one of our Peer Helpers, unfortunately missed out on both of the learning journeys we participated in. However, this gave her the chance to visit mental health organizations in the USA - she has written an interesting and meaningful reflection which highlights some of the key learning points she took home.

Visit To 1. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Clara County and 2. Palo

Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) 4/6/24

I had the privilege of visiting NAMI Santa Clara County and the Palo Alto Medical

Foundation, where I gained insights into their activities and the important role they play in

the community. (I would like to mention how both were extremely welcoming with a quick

response time to my emails and were very willing to share information. This tells a lot about

how mental health is more “prioritised” there, as professionals are willing to take time out to

talk to a foreign student, contrasting our more conservative style here. This was actually

brought up by a woman at NAMI whose name I unfortunately cannot remember, and she said that she has volunteered in Asia before, where it is much more difficult to talk about mental health freely without having people judge you.)

Founded in 1979, NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organisation that provides support for individuals and families affected by mental illness across the United States. Upon entering their office, I was struck by the warmth of Jeanette Langdell, the helpline coordinator, and the team of volunteers. I could feel the genuine passion they had for their work, driven by their personal experiences with mental health challenges.

One initiative is “Mental Health at Work'' where volunteers give presentations and share

resources for employees. I was unable to attend a counselling session I was interested in due

to patient confidentiality, but the volunteers and staff still took turns to brief me about their

roles. Lisette Muniz, a licensed counselor and volunteer, shared the mental health challenges

she faced herself a few years back, which drove her to start volunteering with NAMI.

Through story telling of past sessions, gave examples of how they foster an atmosphere of

empathy and trust.

Next, support groups provide a lifeline for individuals grappling with mental health issues

and their families. The counsellor shared that they received a call from a woman whose

brother with schizophrenia was kicked out of his rental home after he lost his job. While it

took time to resettle him, the NAMI support groups were vital in helping him tide over

difficult times. NAMI also forms support groups to help war veterans suffering from

post-traumatic stress disorder (a very big problem in the US), with the understanding that

rehabilitation is a long and arduous process.

Beyond direct support, NAMI organizes community events in Santa Clara and awareness campaigns to promote mental health dialogue. During Mental Health Awareness Month, they host walks, forums, and informational booths which not only raise funds but also engage the public in important conversations about mental wellness. One programme I find relevant is the “Youth Mental Health'' programme: youths can join any of the online sharing sessions anonymously. They also organise outreach sessions with the school counsellors and have a big social media presence which resonates with today’s youth and forms another channel for them to access help.

Hence, from NAMI, I learned firsthand the power of peer support and the resilience of

individuals facing mental health challenges. It is important to target the people around them

(caregivers, relatives) as many people still don't want to admit that they have a mental illness

and don't know how to find help (anosognosia).

Afterwards, I visited the PAMF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, which

provides mental and emotional health services for everyone. Since they are more medical

based and had patients around, this visit was shorter and less extensive.

They are similar to NAMI in terms of the events they organise, such as having a helpline,

hosting webinars, and the different courses they have about how to identify different mental

illnesses. But NAMI is more support-based, while PAMF provides medical help like

psychotherapy for patients and offers medication monitoring, especially for the patients’

caregivers.

Overall, from these visits, I gained a newfound appreciation for the volunteers and staff who dedicate their time and energy to their respective missions. I think both do their jobs very

well, as I felt very relaxed and comfortable the moment I stepped in even though I was in a

new environment. I can imagine the conflicting feelings they encounter, having faced mental

health challenges themselves in the past, so I really admire their unwavering commitment.

Whether leading a support group, advocating for policy change, or simply lending a listening ear, each individual plays a crucial role in fostering hope. Having volunteers is not enough, and only if members of the public remove negative preconceived notions about mental health will we be able to create a more compassionate and inclusive society where everyone has the support they need to thrive.

• Vera Lee