According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health is “an important part of overall health and well-being” and “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” Mental health affects how people think, feel, and act, it helps to determine how they handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices, and is an important at every stage of life. Over the course of their life, anyone may experience mental health problems or illnesses, which may affect their thinking, mood, and behavior. For some people, these problems may be serious enough to interfere with everyday activities from going to work or school, participating in community activities, or even care for their daily needs. People with other disabilities may be just as likely to experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. Many factors may contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry; life experiences, such as trauma or abuse; or a family history of mental health problems. According to mentalhealth.gov, people who may be experiencing mental health problems may experience various feelings or behaviors that may be an early warning sign of a problem. Mental health problems, serious mental illnesses, and psychiatric disabilities, are common, but help is available.

Are you a mental health professional interested in the latest research, interventions, and resources to support the health, employment, and community participation of people with mental health conditions? NARIC’s information specialists searched the NIDILRR Program Directory and found more than 15 currently and newly funded projects conducting research and development to support people with mental health conditions. Are you a person experiencing mental health problems/mental illness and are looking for resources to assist you in your recovery and to live independently in your community? Below, you will find just a few resources from the NIDILRR Grantee Community:

• The Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (Transitions ACR) develops and shares new knowledge about core concepts, interventions, and policies to greatly improve the transition to employment for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. The Center also provides tip sheets and issue briefs on life skills, education, and employment in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Transitions ACR also provides Voices 4 Hope, a website for and by young adults with serious mental health conditions.
• The Temple University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Community Living and Participation of People with Serious Mental Illness (TU Collaborative) advances the development of interventions that maximize community living and participation of people with severe mental illness. The TU Collaborative provides resources on topics related to community inclusion for people with mental illness, such as Keeping Connected while Staying Apart, which provides information on staying connected during COVID-19; Self-Determination and Self-Directed Care; Recreation and Leisure; and more. Interested in community inclusion research? The TU Collaborative has a podcast series, #CollabChats, that shares the latest-cutting edge research.
• People who have traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries can experience mental health issues following their injuries and rehabilitation, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The Model System Centers conduct research and development to understand how to support people with these injuries as they address their mental health. Visit the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center for factsheets, infocomics, and videos to learn more. MSKTC includes factsheets in Spanish related to spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and burn injury.

To learn more about these and other mental health resources from the NIDILRR Grantee Community, contact NARIC’s information specialists by phone, email, or chat.

Please Notes: If you or someone you know is contemplating harming themselves or others, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800/273-8255 or by using their chat feature. If you are looking for treatment and help in recovery, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).