With America's health care in debate, this is a critical time to urge your elected officials to ensure that improving mental health is a key part of health care reform. Get involved by contacting your Senators and Representatives and emphasizing the importance of mental health in health care reform.

In the United States, 14 million children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental health disorder that requires intervention or monitoring, and interferes with daily functioning. We also know that 30,000 Americans take their lives each year and that 500,000 adolescents make suicide attempts. However, we have a unique opportunity to prevent suicide by ensuring that America’s young people between the age of 12 and 18 are screened for mental health problems regularly when they visit the doctor for their annual exam. You can join the effort by signing CheckUp08’s online petition or writing your representative.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness operates at the local, state and national levels, providing support, education, and referral information. Local affiliates and state organizations identify and work on issues most important to their community and state.

Active Minds develops and supports student-run mental health awareness programs on campuses across the country. Students work to create environments where mental health issues can be discussed openly; provide information about campus, community and online resources; and link up students and the mental health community.

Find a chapter on your campus, or start one today.

Have you had personal experience with mental health issues yourself or through someone you know? Sharing your story helps others who are dealing with the same issues understand that they aren’t alone and that they can reach out for support. Help other students and fight the stigma by emailing us your story.