Mental Health Awareness

Story by: Erika Dawkins

While October is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to recognize the need and the progress that has been made in talking about Mental Health year-round. As many of us know, mental health is often viewed as less crucial than other parts of our health and wellness, and is often swept under the rug due to the stigma that comes along with it. What should be recognized, is that mental and physical health are inseparable, as one can sometimes have an impact on the other. This leaves mental health with just as much importance as our physical health.

Since more and more people are opening up and discussing mental health more freely, it is necessary to stress these two important factors:

1. Mental Illness Won’t Heal Itself. But It Won’t Last Forever

The stigma surrounding mental illness can play a very important role in the lives of those suffering. This leaves many in silence, hoping they will simply “get better.” Research shows that the fear of being labelled can dramatically affect someone’s willingness to disclose their illness and seek the treatment they need. You have to be proactive! Waiting around for it to go away is not the best method in dealing with mental illness. Seeking help is the first step to healing!

2. Seeking Help and Educating Yourself Isn’t Anything to Be Ashamed Of

It is ok to talk about mental illness. When people are more aware of the resources available to them, they are more prepared to seek help for themselves. While we often think to educate those who may be suffering, we must also prepare ourselves to help guide friends or family in their time of need.

Next Steps

There are various types of mental health treatment. Everyone’s needs are different and a mental health professional can help you identify which treatment is best for you.

Here are a few types of mental health treatments:

• Support Groups

• Psychotherapy (individual, group, family, behavioral, etc.)

• Medication

• Outpatient Treatment

• Inpatient/Residential Treatment

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness there is help out there. Here are a few great resources and organizations that will help:

National Alliance of Mental Illness: www.nami.org NAMI is an organization that educates and advocates for people with mental illness and their families. Their website provides education on mental health conditions and tons of other resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (24/7) Get help immediately if you or someone you know is in crisis. Calls to this lifeline are confidential and toll-free and goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-800- 662-HELP (4357) This helpline assists you with locating treatment services in your area.

National Institute of Mental Health: www.nihm.gov If you want to learn more about mental health and mental disorders, this website has free and easy to- read publications available to you.

For Life-threatening Emergencies call 911 or go to a Hospital Emergency Room

Sources: US National Library of Medical National Institutes https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15491256 National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ find-help/index.shtml