Editor,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness and take meaningful action to support the mental well-being of our community. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental health condition each year. Even more sobering, 75% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 24.
As we continue to grapple with the homelessness crisis, it’s important to recognize that nearly one-third of those experiencing homelessness live with a severe mental illness. Stable housing is not just a basic human need—it is a vital foundation for recovery.
At NAMI San Mateo County, we see every day that people can and do recover from serious mental health conditions. With the right support, they go on to lead fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to our community. One of the most powerful ways we can support our loved ones, friends and neighbors living with mental illness is by advocating for more supportive and affordable housing in our county.
Thanks to the recent passage of California’s Proposition 1, San Mateo County now has access to new funding to build urgently needed housing for individuals living with behavioral health conditions. However, this funding will only make a difference if our local city councils choose to prioritize it.
Your voice matters. Let your city leaders know you support mental health-friendly housing. This May, let’s stand together to reduce stigma, increase understanding and take action to support recovery and healing.
Laura Parmer-Lohan
Executive director, NAMI San Mateo County
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