Mental Health Awareness Month: Skyland Trail and other nonprofits are guiding people on a journey to mental wellness

Research shows nearly one in five adults live with mental illness, yet only half of them receive treatment. For children, the results are similarly alarming; only 50% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health conditions receive the treatment they need.

Too often, it’s a lack of access and resources – or a stigma toward mental illness – that creates barriers to receiving proper care. The CDC reports that when individuals and families do seek mental health services, a lack of providers in their area, high costs, inefficient insurance coverage and other issues pose a barrier to care.

During Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, Southern Company Gas and the Southern Company Gas Foundation are committed to normalizing mental health and bringing awareness to the positive work both support in this space. The company encourages its employees across Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia to engage in thoughtful conversations that elevate awareness, while gifts from the company and foundation extend support to thousands of people in its territories who live with mental health conditions and seek care.

“Support from corporate partners like Southern Company Gas helps promote awareness, improve access to care and remove barriers to life-changing mental health treatment. We are so thankful for Southern Company Gas’ partnership,” said Beth Finnerty, president and CEO of Skyland Trail.

Southern Company Gas and its foundation provided more than $250,000 to non-profit partners across its service footprint who provide mental health care services. Organizations such as Metropolitan Family Services, Skyland Trail and The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation are multi-year funding recipients. These nonprofits and others are helping normalize conversations about mental health and providing holistic resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness, addiction and abuse. Donations to these organizations enable them to expand their reach and make it easier for people to get care where and when they need it most.  

If you or someone you know is facing a crisis, help is available now. Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. To find local treatment facilities or providers in your area, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s website at findtreatment.gov.