While doom and gloom dominate much of the mental health and mental illness landscape, there is a crop of next-generation young adults demonstrating a brighter future. It is true that we have a broken mental health system in the US and in many countries, and dying by suicide is a tragic outcome for too many people with mental illness, and mental illness remains the leading cause of disability in the world – yet Millennials, Generation X,Y & Zs are taking a different approach than ever before. Their passion and empathy are breaking the silence that has for too long shuttered the topic. Their voices are already changing the conversation.
This summer marked the third year of our Global Mental Health Summer Internship for university students. Arriving eight weeks ago eager and passionate, 13 summer interns graduated this week with new understanding, knowledge, and experiences about research and strategies to address the urgent needs around mental illness and mental health that they will carry with them no matter where their careers take them.
Click on their names to hear about their experiences.
Many thanks to all our 2018 Summer Interns for all you are already doing to reduce mental illness and enhance mental health around the world! With you as stewards, we can look forward to a brighter future for mental health.