The Problem
26.2 percent of American adults suffer from one or more diagnosable (DSM-IV) mental illnesses in any given year. That's over 70 million people. The good news is only 16 million Americans have serious mental illnesses, but, because professional psychologists largely focus on them, the other 54 million don't have access to the treatments that best suit their needs.
Psychotherapy is very expensive, and prescription drugs should always be a last resort. Sometimes the best treatment is talking to somebody who can help you work through what's on your mind. This is usually a friend or family member, but what if your friend or family member is the problem? What if you're not really close to anybody? You end up feeling like you're trapped in your own head.
26.2 percent of American adults suffer from one or more diagnosable (DSM-IV) mental illnesses in any given year. That's over 70 million people. The good news is only 16 million Americans have serious mental illnesses, but, because professional psychologists largely focus on them, the other 54 million don't have access to the treatments that best suit their needs.
Psychotherapy is very expensive, and prescription drugs should always be a last resort. Sometimes the best treatment is talking to somebody who can help you work through what's on your mind. This is usually a friend or family member, but what if your friend or family member is the problem? What if you're not really close to anybody? You end up feeling like you're trapped in your own head.
The Solution
Psychology has always been one of the most popular majors among college students. (At the University of Michigan alone, over 2,000 students are currently studying psychology.) Although many psychology majors go into business, law, or medical school, we all have one thing in common: we are interested in people.
Free Mentality was founded by a group of psychology students, none of whom will become professional psychologists. Our goal is to mobilize psychology students across the nation to use our understanding of the human mind for good, partner with professional psychologists to advise us, and reach out to students, low income communities, and other groups that need our help to break their mental shackles and live rich, fulfilling lives.
Psychology has always been one of the most popular majors among college students. (At the University of Michigan alone, over 2,000 students are currently studying psychology.) Although many psychology majors go into business, law, or medical school, we all have one thing in common: we are interested in people.
Free Mentality was founded by a group of psychology students, none of whom will become professional psychologists. Our goal is to mobilize psychology students across the nation to use our understanding of the human mind for good, partner with professional psychologists to advise us, and reach out to students, low income communities, and other groups that need our help to break their mental shackles and live rich, fulfilling lives.
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