Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States, during the month of May since 1949. This years campaign promoted an equal focus on mental and physical health, specifically targeting the following aspects of our daily lives in order to promote mental wellness:

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• Maintain uninterrupted sleep for 8 hours each night.

• Avoid sugars, greasy foods, salts, processed foods and saturated fats.

• Consume more whole grains, greens, unprocessed foods, lean meats and unsaturated fats.

• Eat 2-3 well-balanced meals per day.

• Drink at least 3 liters of water per day.

• Consume natural probiotics such as yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi.

• Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.

• Stay away from toxic thoughts, toxic people and toxic conversations.

• Engage in positive thoughts and conversations.

• Practice mindfulness or meditation on a daily basis.

• Learn how to manage your stress.

• Stay present in your daily relationships.

• Avoid “screen time” and engage in more “in person time”.

• Visit your doctor for preventative health and cancer screenings.

• Take time for yourself everyday.

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This month, Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) challenged us to make small positive changes that will equally benefit our minds and bodies. 

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Mental Health Stigma

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Over 59 million Americans seek the services of a mental health professional each year, and general perception of mental illness has improved over the past few decades. Yet, studies show that stigma against mental illness is still prevalent, largely due to lack of education and media stereotypes. People tend to attach negative associations to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. The stigma of mental illness creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that impedes help-seeking behavior, as well as early detection and prevention.

 

Efforts to address mental health stigma and early detection of mental health challenges include psycho-education to counter inaccurate stereotypes or myths; the promotion of mental health screening; and interventions to overcome the interpersonal divide between people with and without stigmatized conditions by facilitating positive interactions between them.

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For example, Mental Health America offers a quick, free, and private online mental health screen to help reduce the duration of untreated mental illness by equipping people with the tools they need to obtain help. Many people are unable to recognize the symptoms of mental illness during the early stages, and the delay in treatment for mental illnesses are longer than for many other health conditions. 

 

• Anxiety Disorders: 9-23 years

• Mood Disorders: 6-8 years

• Psychosis: 1-2 years

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Mental Health America has screened nearly five million people over six years. For mental health awareness month, they created The Million in May Initiative, which sought to screen one million people by the end of last month. 

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If you would like to take the mental health test to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition and/or to support the initiative, please visit https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools. 

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Also, checkout and share the CureStigma quiz to learn how you can help spread mental health awareness. Let's keep fighting to remove the stigma from our society and promote mental health and emotional wellness as a vital part of our well-being!

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Mental Health Statistics

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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

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• 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience a mental health conditions in a given year.

• Nearly 50 million adults in the United States face the reality of managing a mental illness every day

• Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

• Fewer than half of the adults in the U.S. who experience mental illness get the help they need.

• Common barriers to treatment include the cost of mental health care and insurance, prejudice and discrimination and structural barriers like transportation.

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According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA):

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• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children ages 10-17 and African-American children ages 5012 are dying by suicide at nearly twice the rate of their Caucasian peers.

• Overdose deaths, including those from opioids, exceeded 68,000 in 2018.

• Depression alone costs the economy an estimated $210.5 billion annually.

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According to the National Council for Behavioral Health:

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• Approximately 10.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.

• 1 in 4 Americans have had to choose between getting mental health treatment and paying for daily necessities.

• 46% of Americans have had to, or know someone who has had to, travel more than 1-hour roundtrip to get to their most recent mental health care appointment. 

• 76% of Americans think mental health is just as important as physical health.

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Mental Health Support

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The COVID-19 crisis has made the issue of mental health more important than ever.  Fear and anxiety is overwhelming, especially over long periods of time. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of self-harm or giving up on life, it's vital to get in-person help right away by contacting 911. The Helpful Resources section has a list of helplines you can call in a crisis. They have trained professionals ready to listen and help. 

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If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are many supports, services and treatment options that may help.  Treatment for mental illness usually consists of therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Treatment can be given in person or by phone or computer via telehealth services.

 

For assistance finding a mental health provider, your primary care provider can be an important resource. If you have health insurance, a care manager can assist with finding an in-network provider. Advocacy and professional organizations can be a good source of information. For example, the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP),  gives confidential, free 24/7 support and provides referrals to local mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations.

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For more mental health information the following organizations can help:

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• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides resources to people affected by suicide.

• Mental Health America is dedicated to promoting good mental health among Americans. It promotes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people at risk of mental illness.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness promotes the well-being of Americans affected by mental illness. It offers education and support resources.

• National Institute of Mental Health offers information about mental disorders, a range of related topics, and the latest mental health research.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources to people affected by substance use and mental disorders.

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Mental health challenges can be difficult to tackle, but support can be found in many places. The important thing is to take the first step to get help, and then stay active and consistent with your treatment plan.

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Posted: May 15, 2020

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Disclaimer: Please note that the resources on this page are provided for informational purposes only. No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. 

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