First mental health summit brings leaders from across US to Beehive State

SALT LAKE COUNTY — For the first time, multiple organizations from across the country, who are leading the research for mental health, joined Utah leaders at a mental health summit. It’s the first event of its kind and will last until the end of Tuesday.

HAPPENING NOW: mental health experts from across the country gather here in Utah for the first ever mental health summit. @KSL5TV | #WorldMentalHealthDay pic.twitter.com/3zzfCJPCch

— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) October 10, 2022

Too many in the crowd knew the cost of not treating mental illness like treating any other health issue.

Christena Huntsman Durham watched her sister Kathleen suffer for years from mental illness that showed up in other ways — an eating disorder and later, substance abuse.

Kathleen died by suicide.

“My sister was my best friend,” Durham said. “And I knew that something was not right.”

The resources 10 to 15 years ago were more limited than present day, and the stigma was stronger.

“This is something that affects every single one of us,” Durham said. “Because the stigma is so great that that is the number one reason that people do not get help is because of the stigma.”

Stopping the stigma is, in part, why Durham and her family created the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. It’s also one of the reasons why they brought more than 175 leaders from across the country to the Beehive State.

There is on going research about how to combat stigma with mental health and receiving care. The theme of this summit is STOP STIGMA. #WorldMentalHealthDay | @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/TDKNYFOZ50

— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) October 10, 2022

A representative from the American Psychiatric Association, American Pyschological Association, and other multiple national organizations gathered at the Snowbird Resort for the summit.

Gary Mendell came from the East Coast to join the summit, representing Shatterproof, a company he founded after his son Brian died by suicide.

“My son didn’t see society where as a young man he could develop with his disease, get treated in our healthcare system, get better and live a full and fulfilling life,” Mendell said.

Through tears, Mendell shared how Brian fought drug and alcohol addiction. 

“Four months before he died, he looked at me with a tear in his eye and said, ‘Dad, I wish that someday people would realize that I’m not a bad person. I’m a good person with a bad disease,'” Mendell said. “Brian’s wish has not been granted, but today marks the kick off.”

Mendell created Shatterproof to specifically help those in need of addiction recovery; to help those, like his son, who needed someone to see the good person more than the illness.

We have historically had the highest suicide rates in young adults in the country, so we want to normalize that we all will experience anxiety and depression in our life. Mental health should be just health, says Janet Lindow. pic.twitter.com/x73HyjUN1i

— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) October 10, 2022

Brian and Kathleen are some of the faces behind the data.

According to John MacPhee with the Jed Foundation, a non-profit for young adults and teens in need of mental health support, one in three young adults will experience mental illness each year.

Kristin Kroege with the American Psychiatric Association said 50% of adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.

1/3 teens will struggle with mental health, and 50% of teens will deal with mental health beginning at the age of 14, says John MacPhee with the @jedfoundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping teens. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/TNu710dGHl

— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) October 10, 2022

Leaders at the summit committed to stopping the stigma from coast to coast, discussing how to change legislation, even insurance policies.

“I think about my sister every single day and wish we had the tools for her that we had today,” Durham said. “There is so much help out there and that’s what we want to share with people.”

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute announced a 10-year campaign to educate and expand resources for mental health with the leaders at this summit.