RENEW
MAY IS
Mental Health Awareness Month by Deanna Eder, Director of Marketing & Communications, Polara Health
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ach year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, let us join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Let’s help to fight stigma, provide support, learn to take time for ourselves, seek professional help when needed and check in on family, friends and neighbors. The global pandemic has forced us to cope with situations we never imagined. Many are mentally struggling for the first time. There’s no way to predict or quantify the longterm impact of the global pandemic, but we do know more people are discussing their mental health and well-being more freely. With COVID-19, we are seeing more openness, more discussion, more willingness to talk about mental health challenges. Important messaging has been amplified during the pandemic on topics such
as self-care, checking on your neighbor, checking in with your family and friends and staying connected. Have you ever looked out a dirty window then wiped it clean and enjoyed the view? That’s the best way to describe when someone is facing a mental health challenge and then reaches out for help. When having difficulties obstructing the quality of life, it is important to reach out to a family member, a friend, a local behavioral health organization or call the crisis line. It is important to make adjustments in your daily routine and talk to your doctor when needed.
HOW TO OBSERVE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Take care of yourself. Life has numerous ups and downs. Some are solvable but others not so much. When your mental health acts up, seek the right treatment
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and make yourself better because, after all, life has much more to offer than just pain and suffering. Take care of your loved ones. Check up on your friends and family. Many times, all people need is a shoulder to cry on and/ or an ear to listen. Support and encourage them if they are being treated for any mental health problems. Talk about mental health. One of the best ways to celebrate this month is by talking about it with your peers. The more you talk about it, the more normalized it will become.
WHY WE LOVE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH a celebration of * It’s mental health. a celebration of * It’s changing attitudes. a celebration * It’s of humans.
