A comprehensive review of prevalence data on various manifestations of distress and despair in the U.S. conveys an epidemic level of suffering. Documenting the dramatic increases in “deaths of despair”—suicide, accidental overdose deaths, and alcohol caused deaths—in the context of showing for example that many more people die of suicide each year than from homicide, calls for a proactive, multi-layered approach to mental health care. Tracking the complex path of a person’s journey out of distress and despair and describing the factors that support their recovery demonstrates the need for a whole community approach to care, treatment, recovery, and sustained wellness.