Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

In 2009, only 53 percent of young adults ages 18 to 25 with serious mental health challenges enrolled in postsecondary education, compared to 67 percent of young adults of the same age without mental health challenges.¹

Young adults with behavioral health challenges can be resilient with the help of family, friends, providers, and other Heroes of Hope. Visit samhsa.gov/children to learn more.

Use these sample messages to share this data point with your connections on Twitter, Facebook, and via email.

Twitter:

Ppl w/serious #mentalhealth challenges less likely than peers to enroll in postsecondary #education http://1.usa.gov/15WLs7k #HeroesofHope

Facebook:

Did you know that young adults with serious mental health challenges are less likely to enroll in postsecondary education than their peers without serious mental health challenges? Learn more about the behavioral health of young adults and pass it on to observe National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: http://1.usa.gov/15WLs7k

Reference:

1. Newman, L., Wagner, M., Knokey, A. M., Marder, C., Nagle, K., Shaver, D., Wei, X., with Cameto, R., Contreras, E., Ferguson, K., Greene, S., & Schwarting, M. (2011). The Post-High School Outcomes of Young Adults with Disabilities up to 8 Years After High School. A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) (NCSER 2011-3005). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International. Available at http://www.nlts2.org/reports/2011_09_02/index.html

For more information on young adults specifically, see these resources:

• Walker, J. S., & Gowen, L. K. (2011). Community-based Approaches for Supporting Positive Development in Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University. Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/pbCmtyBasedApproaches09-2011.pdf (PDF - 964 KB)
• Gowen, L. K. (Ed.). (2010). Transitions to adulthood. Focal Point: Youth, Young Adults, & Mental Health, 24(1). Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/fpS10.pdf (PDF - 11 MB)
• Sowers, J., Ph.D., & Wood, N. Enhancing Career Development Engagement and Self-Determination for Young Adults with Mental Health Diagnoses. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University. Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/proj1-lit-review.pdf (PDF - 206 KB)