Phillip H. Wang was a loving brother, boyfriend, son, and friend.
His story was unfinished and untold. He had so much more he wanted to share with the world. The creation of the Phillip H Wang Memorial Foundation is to keep Phil alive and continue his work.
We will continue to spread awareness and reduce stigma of mental health substance use disorders like he has done through his writings; We will raise money to support the higher education, treatment, and wellness of individuals battling mental health and substance use disorders. Read more about Phil's Story
PHIL REPRESENTS SOMEONE WITH PASSIONS, INTERESTS, DREAMS AND DESIRES. HE WROTE TO EXPRESS HIS FEELINGS.
BUT IT WAS MORE THAN JUST WRITING.
The words flowed on the page. His journal served as a safe place for him to write down whatever came to his mind. Phil used his passion for writing as an expression through his depression.
In fact, Phil began publishing his work from a very young age through newspapers and competitions, starting in elementary school and publishing in middle school, in high school, and in college, too, where he has publications pending now.
"I WRITE SO YOU CAN SEE ME"
-Phil Wang
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
BY THE NUMBERS BUT MORE THAN A NUMBER
~1 in 3
college students report symptoms of alcohol abuse*
students today deal with 3 major psychiatric conditions college students report symptoms of alcohol abuse**
48.2% anxiety
39.1% stress
34.5% depression
BUT, public education campaigns and support for at-risk students has increased the number of students seeking help by 30%***
* “Facts and Statistics of College Drug Abuse - Drug Trends and Findings.” AddictionCenter, www.addictioncenter.com/college/facts-statistics-college-drug-abuse/.
** Winerman, Lea. “By the Numbers: Stress on Campus.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, Sept. 2017, www.apa.org/monitor/2017/09/numbers.
***LeViness, Peter, et al. “The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors Annual Survey.” The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors, 2017.
YOU ARE MORE THAN A NUMBER.
You Matter.
More than 25%* of US college students have been diagnosed or treated for mental health condition struggling with mental health and 22.9%** of US college students meet the criteria for substance abuse.
Just as Phil was more than a statistic, more than a number, so are you. Seek help if you need it. Don't be afraid to reach out. Don't let the fear of stigma or judgement stop you from expressing your thoughts and feelings, because they matter. You Matter.
* Chadron State College. College Student Mental Health Statistics - Behavior Intervention Team - Chadron State College, www.csc.edu/bit/resources/statistics/.
**Califano, Joseph A. “Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Alcohol and Drug Abuse on College Campuses.” Center on Addiction, 24 Jan. 2017, www.centeronaddiction.org/newsroom/op-eds/wasting-best-and-brightest-alcohol-and-drug-abuse-college-campuses.
