In many ways, we’ve made real progress in overcoming our societal reluctance to take mental health seriously. But there’s still more work to do, which is why awareness campaigns like National Mental Health Awareness Month in May remain so important.
First established in 1949 and observed by organizations nationwide — including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — this month continues to shine a light on both progress and persistent challenges. This year, NAMI is encouraging people to speak up as a way to break down lingering stigma and build stronger support through community connection.
At the same time, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is promoting awareness and sharing resources through weekly themes: “Understanding Mental Illness,” “Early Support Matters: Recognizing Signs in Children and Youth,” “Words Matter and Words Can Heal” and “Supporting Loved Ones: Connection Is a Powerful Form of Care.”
These initiatives are essential, especially as rates of anxiety and depression continue to rise. According to a November 2024 brief from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Health Workforce, about 59 million U.S. adults or 23% of the nation’s population experienced a mental illness in 2023. Nearly half did not receive treatment.
Barriers range from persistent stigma to limited access to care, driven by clinician shortages, high out-of-pocket costs, coverage gaps, and other challenges. On average, individuals wait 48 days to access behavioral health services and serious mental illness causes about $193.2 billion in lost earnings annually, according to HRSA.
At the Wright Center for Community Health, we are working to meet this need by continually expanding our psychiatry services for adults, children, and adolescents. Our team of licensed psychiatrists delivers personalized care plans that combine medication management with holistic support tailored to each patient — whether they are navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders or other mental health concerns.
We also offer a broad range of behavioral health services designed to help individuals of all ages address emotional challenges, identify underlying causes, and regain a sense of well-being. Specialized services are available for children with severe mental illness, as well as for those who have experienced abuse or violence.
Further demonstrating our commitment to our communities in Northeast Pennsylvania, we are participating in a multi-year grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to expand access to whole-person primary health services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. As one of several participating sites, The Wright Center is helping advance the use of collaborative care — an evidence-based model that strengthens the integration of behavioral health within primary care settings.
We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure people receive the care and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Evan Silvi, M.D., a psychiatrist at the Wright Center for Community Health, is accepting new patients, ages 5 and older, for office-based remote behavioral health services. Visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to make an appointment.