Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to refocus on self-care and recognize the importance of mental health. Every year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with mental illness, and during May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health Month raises awareness about trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children, families and communities. According to the CDC, untreated mental health problems, such as depression, can increase the risk of long-term physical health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Mental Health America chose “Tools 2 Thrive” as a theme to help people deal with anxiety, stress, depression, etc. during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden's statement on Mental Health Awareness Month mentions isolation, illness, bereavement and job loss as factors that contribute to the deterioration of mental health. Clifford Beers established the National Committee on Mental Hygiene in 1909, now known as Mental Health America.
He opened the Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven, which was the first outpatient clinic for mental health patients in the United States. Beers and his colleagues at the association wanted to find ways to ensure that mental health patients not only received the right care but also that they didn't feel alone in their fight against mental health diseases. Many people around the world still do not have access to adequate mental health care due to stigma, discrimination or a lack of quality mental health services. When your mental health deteriorates, seek appropriate treatment and improve because life has much more to offer than just pain and suffering.
Biological factors such as genes or brain chemistry, trauma and abuse, and a family history of mental illness can cause mental illness. We can help address mental health issues through medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, case management and more in an outpatient setting. It is important to prioritize mental health just as much as physical health for comprehensive well-being. The National Institute of Mental Health states that 8% of American teens already have an anxiety disorder. Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity to learn more about trauma and self-care in order to better understand how to support those living with mental illness. It is essential to fight stigma and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
