Mental Health Awareness Month Is Here
Mental Health Awareness is more important than ever
May has been designated for Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States since 1949. Many organizations come together to try to end stigma, promote treatment, and bring awareness to how common mental health disorders are. During times of crisis, it is even more important that people know where they can turn for help.
Mental Health Awareness Statistics
In 2021 over 47 million adults experienced a mental health disorder with 4.55% of all adults experiencing a severe mental health disorder. Additionally, in 2021 it was found that over 2.5 million youth in the United States have severe depression; that’s 10.6%! Even further, multiracial youth with depression climbed to 14.5%.
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 caused 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. In addition, 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 commits 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.
Updated: 5/2/2023
