“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” — Glenn Close
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one out of every five individuals has or is experiencing symptoms of mental illness. While some of us may be more vulnerable than others, we all confront problems in life that might negatively affect our mental well-being.
Mental health awareness is the ongoing effort to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders by sharing our personal experiences. Anxiety and depression don’t have to control our lives. When we speak openly about our mental health symptoms, we give others hope for a brighter, happier future.
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Why Do We Have Mental Health Awareness Month?
“Mental health is just as important as physical health and deserves the same quality of support.” — Kate Middleton
The purpose of a month dedicated to mental health is to raise awareness and show those with mental disorders that they are not alone in their struggles. People often suffer in silence and their problems go untreated due to misunderstandings about mental health. Mental health awareness is a critical social movement that aims to enhance both knowledge and access to healthcare. It’s also an important tool in the effort of suicide prevention.
Don’t let mental health stand in the way of living your best life. Contact us immediately to learn how we can help you.
Why Is Checking On Our Mental Health Important?
Many Americans struggle with conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma disorder, and other mental health problems. Sadly, instead of seeking treatment, some choose to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. The figures don’t lie. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, almost 9 million people have a co-occurring condition. Despite this, only 7% of these people receive treatment for both illnesses. Nearly 60% of those surveyed receive no therapy at all.
What Everyone Should Be Aware Of
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein
Many persons who suffer from mental health issues are unaware that their problems are caused by untreated disorders. As a result, mental health awareness might assist you in better understanding your symptoms. While each mental health illness has its own set of symptoms, here are a few to keep an eye out for:
- Sleeping habits change
- Appetite loss
- Impulsive behavior
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal ideation
- Confusion or “spaciness”
- Isolation
- Intense aggression
- Mental stress
- Feelings of frustration
- Loss of interest
- Drastic changes in appearance or hygiene
- Chronic depression
Some of the most serious types of mental illness in the US include:
- Anxiety (affecting 42 million adults)
- Depression (impacting 16 million adults)
- Bipolar Disorder (with some 6.1 million adult sufferers)
- Schizophrenia (affecting 2.4 million adults)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (currently affecting about 3 million)
How We Can Help You
Living with a mental illness can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. When you ask for help, you can learn what is happening and start understanding why. That immediately makes it more likely for you to find a better way forward. If you think you may be struggling with substance dependency because of a mental illness, you have access to care. Ethan Crossing is a dual diagnosis facility specializing in mental illness, alcohol, and drug addiction treatment. Call us today!
