Welcome to the Jevon K. Lampkin Foundation established in his memory.

"Every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, should seek help if they have a mental health problem or symptoms of a mental disorder."
David Satcher, M.D., Former, U.S. Surgeon General

My son's death has left an enormous void in the world. It is my desire that something good come out of his death. I intend to work along side the mental health agencies in Philadelphia and New Jersey to help improve the quality of life for people affected with mental illness and their families.
Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood and ability to relate to others and perform daily functioning

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder.

The good news is recovery is possible. Mental illness is treatable by actively participating in a individual treatment plan.

Mental illness can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income.

Mental illness is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illness is a serious medical illness. It cannot be overcome through "will power." Mental illness falls along a continuum of severity.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND RECOVERY

  • The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 1 in 4 adults, 57.7 million Americans experience a mental health disorder a year. 1 i n 7 currently live with a serious mental illness.
  • The US Surgeon General reports 10% of children and adolescents in the US suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders, causing a significant functional impairment in their day to day lives at home, in school and with their peers.
  • Mental illness usually strikes people in the prime of their lives. Often during adolescence and our adulthood. The young and old are especially vulnerable.
  • Without treatment the consequences of mental illness are staggering to society, the individual and families and can lead to unnecessary death, suicide, disability, unemployment, inappropriate incarceration, homelessness and substance abuse, just to name a few.
  • Treatments for serious mental illness today are highly effective. 70 to 90% of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and support.
  • A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process. Early identifications and treatment is of vital importance. Ensuring access to treatment and recovery programs that are proven and effective allows recovery times to be accelerated and further harm related to the course of the illness is minimized.
  • Stigma erodes confidence that mental illness and disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to treatments and recovery for most. IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE BARRIERS DOWN.