Resilience Starts With Care:
Why Mental Health Access Matters for All
Resilience doesn’ t mean going it alone. It means knowing when to reach out, and having a community that reaches back.
Mental health touches every part of our lives— from how we cope with stress, to how we connect with others, to how we find the strength to keep going in hard times. It’ s a vital part of well-being. Yet for many in our communities, getting the support they need isn’ t always easy. background or life experience. Others may feel unsure about reaching out due to stigma or fear of judgment.
Even so, many individuals continue to show remarkable strength. They turn to family, community, faith, and creativity to carry them through. They reflect the deep resilience that exists in every neighborhood— and prove that healing can take many forms.
Improving access to care means creating more opportunities for people to get help that feels supportive, respectful, and effective. This could mean more local services, more diverse providers, or better information about how and where to get support. It also means having open conversations about mental health— so that no one feels alone in their struggles.
Mental health care isn’ t just a service— it’ s a pathway to strength, connection, and hope. When we take steps to care for ourselves and support others, we help build a stronger, more connected community.
As you reflect today, consider:
What does resilience mean to you? Who has shown you strength in the face of challenge? And how can you be part of creating a community where everyone feels supported— mind, body, and spirit?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness( NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the U. S. experiences a mental illness each year. Here in Santa Clara County, that translates to about 340,000 people— enough to fill Levi’ s Stadium five times. An estimated 68,000 youth in the county also face mental health challenges. These numbers remind us that mental health affects people of all ages and backgrounds— and that support is needed close to home.
Some members of our community may face additional challenges when it comes to accessing care. These can include financial limitations, lack of transportation, language barriers, or difficulty finding providers who understand their
Melissa Santos is a Sr. Director at Community Solutions, a behavioral health organization serving Santa Clara County where she leads their CS Learning Training Institute. Her Pathways to Resilience podcast brings learnings and conversations about trauma, wellness, and resilience to the community. Listen in on Apple, Google, and Spotify, and learn more at: www. CommunitySolutions. org
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