Identification of Community teaching topic (mental health and wellness)

            The community teaching plan proposal aims at enhancing the mental health and wellness of young adults aged 18-25 years. The plan entails several interventions that address the risk factors for mental illness and disorders among adolescents and young adults living in New York. The plan outlines the epidemiological rationale, learning strategies, and expected goals.

Epidemiological Rationale

            Mental health disorders are common among the US population since nearly half of the population will diagnose with mental illness at one point in their lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 52 million Americans suffer from psychiatric disorders (CDC, 2022). It is estimated that 10 percent of American adults will encounter depressive mental health illnesses each year (NIMH, 2022). Bipolar disorder affects almost 3 percent of Americans. The average age of initial manic episodes is in the early 20s. Psychiatric illness concerns the healthcare system since it enhances the risk of suicide and violent behaviors among young adults. The data indicates that 18 percent of adolescents and young adults aged 18-24 years have an anxiety disorder. The common anxiety disorders that lead to mental illness include post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (WHO, 2022). More than 2.5 million people suffer from severe depression

            The rate of substance abuse among young people is rising since 10 percent of adolescents and young people abuse drugs and other substances. Depressive mental illness co-occurs with drug abuse and anxiety disorders in the youthful population (NIMH, 2022). Mental illness and disorders are o the rise and deserve special attention due to a community's adverse social and economic burden (CDC, 2022). Adolescents and young people are at greater risk due to violence, drug and substance abuse, and a lack of recreation opportunities in the community (WHO, 2022). A majority of suicide