We are collecting signatures to remind our leaders that a community’s mental health is the wealth and future of the community. Mental health care and resources should be accessible for everyone. We need our leaders to invest in mental health to keep our families alive, safe, and thriving.

The lack of funding and access to mental health care and mental health education reinforces the stigma and contributes to barriers that prevent treatment and recovery. Mental illness stigma is a major barrier to treatment and recovery. Stigma is tied to consistent underfunding of mental health.

We want to bring awareness to this issue! We need more funding to support our communities’ significant mental health needs. We need increased access to mental health and psychological support services, resources, and education. 

The Need

• 21% of adults and 17% of youth experience a mental health illness or disorder
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
• 8.4 million Americans are caring for an adult with an emotional or mental illness
• In the United States, 45% of individuals with a clinical-level mental health problem in need of mental health treatment do not receive it.

ABOUT THE BIG SILENCE

The Big Silence was founded in Austin, by Karena Dawn, co-founder of Tone It Up, a wellness entrepreneur, NY Times best selling author, NAMI board advisor, and a passionate mental health advocate. Growing up with a mother who was diagnosed with severe mental illness, she knows from experience that suffering in silence only reinforces the stigma surrounding mental health issues and creates barriers which prevent healing. Karena resides in Texas, which is ranked in the Top 4 Worst States in the US when it comes to mental health care and resources.

The Big Silence Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides resources and support to anyone directly or indirectly impacted by mental illness. We raise awareness, promote understanding, and aim to bring together people and organizations who want to improve public attitudes towards mental health and normalize conversations surrounding mental health topics and experiences.