6 Ways to Observe Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Month. This is the time to spread the word that everyone should care for their mental health. There are 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. living with a mental disorder according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Still, a stigma exists, causing people to feel like they’re alone in their struggle. This month is an opportunity for people everywhere to work together to bring about change.

Here are six Mental Health Awareness Month tips:

• 1. Educate Yourself on Mental Health and Wellness

  
  Inform yourself on topics around mental health. This may include learning about specific mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or major depression. By understanding mental illness in more detail, you will see how it can affect people’s lives and allow you to have more empathy for others. This new knowledge will help you overcome stigmas, misconceptions, and the prejudice that you might have had about mental health issues.
  



• 2. Talk to a Therapist

  
  Another thing you can do is talk to a therapist about any mental health challenges that you may be dealing with in your life right now. A therapist can help you deal with mental illnesses as well as any daily issues like stress, poor time management, or troubled relationships.

  No problem is too small or too big to explore getting support for. Your primary care provider should be able to recommend a mental health resource or a behavioral health service in additiion to talk therapy.
  




• 3. Make Self-Care a Priority

  
  Self-care plays an important part in mental health. If you haven’t been practicing self-care habits, this month is a good time to put them in place. Self-care habits include:

  • getting enough sleep
  • eating healthy foods
  • getting regular physical activity
  • taking part in activities or hobbies you enjoy

  If your life is making you feel worn out and exhausted, adding these self-care habits may give you the energy you need to go on. You could also try journaling or meditating or reading a book. The main thing is to find activities to help you unwind and recharge in a healthy way.
  




• 4. Support Others

  
  This is also a good month to focus on supporting other people. It’s often difficult to see when people struggle with mental health challenges compared to physical ones. You can see a broken leg but you can’t see depression. If you become familiar with the symptoms of common mental health problems, it may help you recognize when someone around you is struggling. You’re not responsible to fix anyone, but it will allow you to support them and encourage them to get help.
  



• 5. Support a Non-Profit Mental Health Organization

  
  A lot of non-profit human services work toward mental health awareness. You can pick an organization that has a personal connection to you and ask how you can support them in their work. There are also organizations you might want to support for issues like:

  • substance use disorder
  • depression
  • suicide
  • mental health disorders in children




• 6. Identify Any Stigmas You Might Have

  
  You might be buying into the mental health stigmas that exist without even realizing it. If you want to engage in mental health awareness, it’s important to look at yourself to see if you recognize any areas where you are promoting the stigma that exists. This includes:

  • believing people with mental illness are more dangerous than others
  • feeling like people suffering from mental illness are not as competent at work
  • assuming that they are more likely to participate in high-risk behaviors
  • using drugs and alcohol

  As you work on recognizing these beliefs and behaviors in your own life, you may become more empathetic toward people who are struggling. You can also spread knowledge and raise awareness for mental health.
  

National Health Interview Study

Here are just a few facts that should help raise your awareness for mental health month.

The National Health Interview Study conducted by the CDC reported in 2021 that:

• In 2021 there were about 57.8 million adults (18 or older) in the U.S. with any mental illness. This is 22.8% of all adults. (Any mental illness refers to any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder and can vary from no impairment to severe impairment.)
• The prevalence of any mental illness was higher among females (27.2%) than males (18.1%).
• More females received mental health services (51.7%) than males (40.0%).
• Among adolescents with any mental disorder, about 22.2% had severe impairment.
• The percentage of young adults (aged 18-25) with any mental illness who received services for a mental health condition was 44.6%. This was lower than other age ranges.

Orlando Treatment Solutions Supports Your Mental Health

Now that you’ve begun to raise your awareness for mental health, you must take a close look at your own. If you’re suffering from a mental condition, (or even if you suspect you are), you may need the support only a mental health professional can provide. Our counselors at Orlando Treatment Solutions are trained and experienced in helping people overcome their conditions.

Unfortunately, many people suffering from mental health conditions also struggle with substance abuse problems. Orlando Treatment Solutions is able to provide care for individuals who have these co-occurring conditions in a dual diagnosis program. In addition, we have three levels of outpatient care so you can enter at the appropriate level and continue care until you feel confident enough to leave formal care.

Do you think you need help? Does someone close to you need help? OTS can create a program specifically for you or your loved one.

To provide the most effective care, we have programs tailored for adults, young adults, and adolescents. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, if you have any questions, contact us. We are always happy to answer.

• References:

  
  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products

  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness