May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the United States since 1949. It is a time to come together and promote treatment and understand how common mental health disorders are. During times of crisis, like with the continuing COVID-19, it is even more important that people know where they can turn for help.
Previous Mental Health Awareness Statistics
In 2018 over 47 million adults experienced a mental health disorder with over 11 million experiencing a serious one. Additionally, in 2016, over 7.5 million youth between the ages of 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder. In contrast, only 43%-64% of these people received treatment.
With more awareness, more people can get treatment and begin the journey to mental wellness!
Other Effects of Mental Health Disorders
For example, people who experience depression have a 40% higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Additionally, almost 20% of those adults develop a substance use disorder and the unemployment rate is over 2% higher as well.
These stats were gathered before COVID-19, which is causing many more people to experience stress, anxiety and depression for the first time.
What can we do?
Explore self-help tools:
- Journal
- Set aside a few minutes each day to write. Getting emotions on paper can help them be evaluated and processed.
- Volunteer
- Volunteering boosts self-esteem and gives a sense of purpose.
- Practice gratitude daily
- Before getting out of bed find three things to be grateful for.
- Increases the positive emotions and reduces the toxic ones.
- Exercise
- Reduces stress and increases energy level.
- Treats mild to moderate depression as effectively as medication.
- Lowers the risk of other illness.
What if that’s not enough?
Contact a doctor for a referral or find a therapist. They can work to design a custom plan for wellness. Secure treatment is over the phone or computer with telehealth, providing coping skills for grief, loss, depression and anxiety. They will work with you one-on-one to get you feeling better.
Lifeline Connections is committed to creating lasting mental wellness for our patients. We offer an integrated, holistic approach that includes therapy and case management. Our doctors specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, working to solve ones that have a compounding effect. Contact us and reclaim your life.
Source: NAMI
