Nearly one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition, yet myths and misinformation continue to shape how people seek — or avoid — care. During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, University of Minnesota experts are setting the record straight with evidence-based research, new treatments and workforce innovations that are changing how mental health conditions are understood and treated.
From pioneering brain stimulation therapies for severe bipolar disorder to research on how social media affects teen mental health, the University is advancing solutions that expand access, personalize treatment and reduce stigma.
1. Mental health conditions are uncommon.
Mental health challenges are far more prevalent than many people realize, and will affect nearly everyone at some point in their life. Studies suggest that half of the world’s population will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and co‑occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders are among the most commonly reported conditions.
University of Minnesota researchers are leading the way to understand the root causes of mental illness and how to improve treatment. Their work underscores a critical truth: mental health conditions are common and treatable, and mental health is just as important as physical health to overall well‑being.
2. There are few effective treatment methods for mental health conditions.
While most mental illnesses are managed rather than cured, a wide array of effective treatments exist to control symptoms and help people live healthy, fulfilling lives. Medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes are all effective treatment methods, and are often most powerful when used in combination with each other.
New and better ways to support mental health are being developed every day, making treatment more attainable than ever. Ziad Nahas, a professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School, is one such researcher pushing the field forward. He and his team were recently awarded a $4 million grant to conduct a first-of-its-kind study into the use of novel brain stimulation to treat severe bipolar disorder.
“By identifying, targeting and stimulating the specific brain networks that are key to mood regulation and mood switching, we can better understand and hopefully treat severe and disabling depression in bipolar disorder patients,” said Nahas. “Brain surgery and implantable devices to treat depression are not for all patients, but they will help guide development of non-invasive treatments and hopefully bring better relief to those living with bipolar disorder.”
3. If I take mental health medications, they will change who I am as a person.
With professional guidance, mental health treatments, including medication, are designed to reduce symptoms that interfere with daily life and well-being. Ideally, medication helps people feel more like themselves. Concerns about side effects and social stigma can prevent individuals from seeking care, but asking for help takes courage, and medication can be a powerful part of an effective treatment plan.
Pharmacogenetic testing is revolutionizing mental health care by utilizing genetic analysis to predict individual drug responses, a field led by researchers like Mark Schneiderhan, a psychiatric pharmacist and associate professor in the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in Duluth. By identifying how a patient’s liver metabolizes specific medications, clinicians can select the most effective therapies from the start. This approach fosters shared decision-making, significantly reducing the risk of adverse side effects and improving overall patient confidence in their treatment plan.
“Finding the right psychiatric medication and dosage has traditionally involved a process of trial and error,” said Schneiderhan. “Drug side effects are common and may show up soon after beginning treatment, leading patients to discontinue care — and some mental health conditions remain difficult to treat despite multiple medication trials. Through pharmacogenetic testing, a simple cheek swab or blood test may be able to pinpoint why certain medications work, helping prevent side effects and ensure treatment is effective. By addressing these challenges early, this information guides more precise dosage and medication choices for better treatment outcomes.”
4. Children and teenagers don’t face mental health issues.
One in seven children experience a mental health condition each year. In fact, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. While there are commonalities between the mental health conditions that people of all ages experience, children and teens also face unique challenges.
Xiaoran Sun, a developmental and family psychologist and assistant professor in the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, is doing critical research into one such challenge: social media. She recently published research that examined how and on which platforms social media impacts teen body image.
“Research increasingly shows that social media's relationship with adolescent mental health is not simply about how much time teens spend online, but about how they use it — which platforms, what content and in what context,” said Sun. “Teens who actively engage versus passively scroll, or who encounter supportive versus harmful content, can have vastly different mental health outcomes.”
5. Your mental health journey is one you take alone.
A support network is essential for your mental health, and most importantly, there are resources available to help you build it. For University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff, the University’s mental health tool is a great place to start. By answering a few anonymous questions, MentalHealth@UMN will connect you to the most relevant services available.
Through Boynton Health, students can access drop-in crisis support, counseling and psychotherapy, medication assessment and management, social work assistance and chemical health assessment and treatment. Other personal well-being resources include programs like Boynton’s Pet Away Worry & Stress (PAWS) program and self-guided, online therapy and assessments.
Faculty and staff have access to a variety of mental health resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Wellbeing Program and University medical plans. For residents across the state, 988 Minnesota Lifeline is available to provide mental health and emotional support.
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