Mental Health is Health
May is mental health awareness month. Mental health is a very important part of our overall health. Each year millions of Americans are affected by mental illness (1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17). One way to break the stigma that continues to surround mental health is to talk about it. The more we talk about it, the more it will encourage those struggling to seek the help they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Life Can Be Hard
We can all agree life comes with challenges. Many of the challenges we face are not ones we ask for or seek. Yet, they are still things we must learn to face, manage, and overcome. When we are physically ill, many times we seek help from medical professionals to find ways to get better. So why not seek help from mental health professionals when struggling mentally? In the past individuals struggling with mental illness were seen as “crazy”. This often prevented individuals from seeking help as they did not want to feel judgment or discrimination from their community or society. As our understanding around mental health has increased over time that is no longer the case. Thankfully, mental health is being talked about more and more and just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you are “crazy”.
It’s Okay to Seek Help
If you are struggling mentally, it’s okay to seek help to find ways to feel better. There are mental health professionals waiting to help. We’ve come a long way in learning effective strategies to help in the healing process. Mental and emotional wounds can run deep, but healing and wholeness is possible. Being able to get the help you need for the mental or emotional struggles you are experiencing can be life changing.
No One Choses to Struggle
Several years ago I was invited to be a part of a mental health panel. Included in the panel were other mental health professionals. Also in the panel were individuals who experienced mental illness. These individuals were young professionals who wanted to share their story in hopes to encourage others who were struggling. One of the individuals said something profound that I will never forget. They said, “I didn’t choose to have a mental illness. But, I learned that I can choose to get help and learn ways to manage it so it doesn’t take over my life.”
As I thought about what they said, I reflected on the thousands of individuals I have worked with. I can tell you that no one chooses to struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or a mood disorder (to name a few). They don’t say, “I want to feel this way.” They want to feel happy, not depressed or anxious. If someone struggling seeks help then many times things can get better. Remember, individuals don’t always choose to feel the way they do, but they can choose to find the help they need to feel better. In fact, for some getting help has saved their life.
Check In On Those Around You
We don’t want to think about mental illness as life or death, but in our community we have seen a rise in suicide, especially among our youth. Normalizing mental health challenges helps individuals of all ages know they are not alone. One way to do this is ask your loved ones and friends how they are doing. If your worried about someone, ask them, “Have you ever thought about suicide?” It’s a tough conversation to have, but it is a needed one.
Don’t Be Afraid to Start the Conversation
If you want to learn how to have the conversation, check out savecenla.com who offers free trainings on how to notice warning signs and ways to assist someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide. Educating yourself about mental illness and knowing how to help someone get the help they need can allow you to be someone’s light at the end of a very dark tunnel. If you or someone you know needs helps now, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911.
After the last two years of living through a pandemic, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty can take a toll on one’s mental health. There is help available if you are struggling. It takes a lot of courage to seek help in finding the path forward, but I want to encourage you that there are individuals who are waiting to help you.
To find out more about warning signs and symptoms of mental illness or find other tools and resources go to nami.org.
