Mental Health: Mind Matters

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Good mental health is an important aspect of everyone’s life. Like physical illness, mental illness is not a 'choice’ or a personal flaw but a medical condition that requires care. In 2014, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that there were an estimated 43.6 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with a mental illness in the previous year-18.1% of all U.S. adults. Yet misunderstanding of mental illness often leads to lack of treatment and needless suffering. That makes mental health a personal issue, a social issue, and an economic issue.

Much as the travelling exhibition Race: Are we so different? created a safe place for conversations around
race and racism, Mind Matters will create a safe space for important conversations about mental illness.
Misconceptions and stigma lead to prejudice and discrimination. This exhibition and related programming can help make it OK to talk about mental health. Mental illness touches all of our lives in some way, making Mind Matters an important resource.

Volunteers in Mind Matters will help visitors explore the topic of mental illness with hands-on activities suitable for visitors of all ages. Topics will include brain anatomy and physiology, healthy expression of feelings, and relaxation techniques.