Did you know that there are more than 59 million people in the United States alone who suffer from at least one kind of mental illness? Mental illness is a problem that occurs all over the world, and no matter where in the world a person is, mental issues can be difficult to deal with.
Many people don’t even realize when others suffer from mental illness, and some might not even realize that they have a mental illness themselves.
Fortunately, Mental Health Awareness Month exists. This month functions to bring awareness to all different types of mental health problems, how to deal with those problems, and more.
This month is especially important because it can help people with mental issues feel like they have support, and it can help others realize that they might have some mental health issues themselves that need to be treated.
Keep reading and learn more about what Mental Health Awareness Month involves.
What Is Mental Health Awareness Month?
This month aims to teach people how mental health can be just as important (if not more so) as physical health. Many people don’t realize that without mental health resources and without support, it can be very difficult to live with a mental illness.
There are many forms of mental illnesses, but some of the most common are anxiety and depression.
The rates of these disorders have been rapidly increasing in recent years. This is likely because our modern world is only speeding up and leaving us with more work responsibilities than ever before. When people are so overworked all the time, they don’t have much time to themselves or even time to spend with their friends and family.
The Details
Anxiety and depression are some of the disorders that can make can make a person feel lonely and isolated. The problem is that many people are afraid to talk about their mental health issues due to the stigma surrounding the topic. As a result, these issues will often get worse because the person doesn’t have any support.
This is more or less the same with other mental health issues such as bipolar disorder and some personality disorders. In some cases, it can be difficult for a person to realize that they have a mental illness in the first place.
That is one of the many reasons why Mental Health Awareness Month is so important.
This month is all about providing mental wellness tips and mental health recourses. As a result, it will be a bit easier for everyone to take better care of their mental health.
For example, someone coping with depression might desperately need some kind of support or advice on how to power through depression. Mental Health Awareness month can provide that support. But what can you do during this month to make a difference?
Spreading Awareness of Mental Health
Not many people know much about mental health problems. For example, many people think that depression is just someone being sad. However, depression is much more than ordinary sadness.
The difference is that sadness is usually quite temporary. On the other hand, clinical depression can last for months and even years. The symptoms of depression include:
- Hopelessness
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Suicidal thoughts
Depression has the ability to lose interest in hobbies and activities that a person used to enjoy. This can make it even more difficult to deal with depression. Of course, if many people don’t realize how severe depression can be, the person with depression can feel very unsupported.
On the other hand, if you educate yourself more about mental health this month, you will be a much better mental health supporter than before. If you know someone who is suffering from depression, you will know more about the mental illness and how to help that person.
Educating Yourself
Learning more about mental health doesn’t just pertain to depression, even though it is a very common mental condition. It is also important to learn more about other mental health conditions. For example, many people don’t understand that there are different types of anxiety.
Some people might just think that anxiety is someone being nervous about something. The truth is that anxiety can come in many different forms. such as:
- PTSD
- Social Anxiety
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is more than being worried or nervous.
It usually permeates every aspect of a person’s life and, in some cases, it can be debilitating. For example, a person’s social anxiety might be so bad that they refuse to even go to the grocery store.
By learning more about these different mental conditions, you can understand what the person is going through and how you might be able to help.
There are many resources that will teach you more about mental illnesses. Many websites online will have all the information you need. You could even get some books from the library for more details.
Taking Care of Your Own Mental Health
Learning about mental illnesses is a good start, but it won’t change much if you aren’t taking care of your own mental health. Many people find that they are too busy with work and other duties to set aside enough time for themselves.
However, if you care about your mental health, you should make time in your day where you can enjoy yourself and put your mental health first.
For example, if you have been very stressed for a few days or even weeks or months, set aside an hour or two every day so you can relax. If you have a busy schedule, this can be difficult to do. However, even if you have to move things around in your schedule, you will find that you will feel much better if you make more time for yourself.
How to Manage and Cope
There are several things that you can do that can help calm you down and keep your mental health as healthy as possible. For example, going for a long walk outside can do wonders. Spending time outside, especially in the sun, can rejuvenate your mind and give your mind and body a chance to relax.
You should also do things that you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy taking bubble baths but never have time, make time for them. Incorporating things you enjoy into your life can motivate you and ensure that your mind stays healthy.
Finally, if it comes to it, talk to a mental health professional. Oftentimes individuals are hesitant to reach out and get help. But traditional and holistic therapies have been seen to greatly improve a person’s mental health.
Take a Mental Health Screen and Get Treatment If Necessary
As mentioned before, many people don’t even know that they have a mental illness. This is often because they aren’t aware of the symptoms they are experiencing. If you are unsure whether or not you have a mental illness, it is important to take a mental health screen.
This will help you see what kind of mental health symptoms you might have and if you have a mental illness. If you find out that you do have a mental illness, you will be able to start treating it. That way, living your everyday life won’t be such a struggle.
But how should you go about treating your mental illness if you have one? As it turns out, there are many treatment options for various mental illnesses. For example, medication plays a big part in treating mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Medication aims to reset your brain hormones and regulate your moods. It can take a while for the medication to work, so be patient. Besides medication, therapy is also important. There are also different types of therapy that may work better on certain types of people.
For example:
- Professional psychotherapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Each one of these therapies aims to address and treat your mental illness in a different way. By finding a good therapist, you will be better able to treat your mental health problems and lead a more fulfilling life.
Everything You Need to Know About Mental Health Awareness Month
As you have seen, Mental Health Awareness Month is important for many reasons. It allows people to become more aware of different mental illnesses, why they happen, and what can be done about them. It promotes people to educate themselves about different mental health issues so that they can make a difference.
If you think you might be suffering from mental illness or know someone who is, contact us here.
