Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health is oftentimes not discussed. It is seen as something that needs to be hidden. Some people are ashamed to speak to someone about mental health or someone suffering is afraid to speak out because of the fear of how another will react.
I am writing this in September which is Mental Health Awareness Month in hopes that others will learn and want to spread awareness.
There really needs to be a shift in how mental health is perceived and by placing emphasis on Mental Health Awareness this can be achieved. Education is the key to understanding how this affects peoples lives and what steps can be done to help.
The days of hiding, being shamed for feeling depressed, stressed out or anxious need to be removed. There is no reason to have shame for have a mental illness or when your mental health is not at it’s best. People are not made to feel shame or guilt if they have high blood pressure or diabetes. They are offered help with these conditions. Why should mental health conditions be any different. None of those conditions make you a bad person or made to feel ashamed about it so why should this be any different.
With increased education and awareness being shared these stigma’s will dissolve, but it will take time. There are courses, educational sites and materials that are available. It’s getting that information out and having people read it so they can understand a bit better.
Some Ways That Affect Mental Health
The support and awareness has really improved but not to the extent it needs to be. There has been a increase in depression, anxiety and suicides since Covid 19 has been here, but that is not the only cause. In some respects I believe these conditions are being brought more in the open in light of Covid-19, yet the help is still not where it needs to be. Furthermore, cases have increased during these times of isolation, increased stress, job loss, children being at home, losing homes etc. It is very unfortunate that during the increase is suicides, increase in medication being prescribed that this is how we learn how bad it really is.
Other factors that contribute to mental health conditions are physical and emotional abuse, neglect, trauma, bereavement, divorce, severe stress, drugs, alcohol abuse, loss of a job are some examples as well as brain injuries, chemical imbalances, chronic illnesses and epilepsy and other health conditions can all contribute to mental health conditions.
Isolation is definitely a contributor to the increase in mental health conditions especially in the older community. This is also affecting children and teenagers. Children of all ages need that interaction with their friends but have not been able to do so. Because of school closings, social activities have been cancelled, including birthdays and school events, along with so much more.
What if someone just asked
What if instead of being afraid to talk to someone when you feel like they may be under a lot of stress or are depressed, you actually asked them how they are feeling? Do you think that there is a possibility that person would open up? If you don’t try, it may never happen. What if by just having that one conversation that person’s life was able to change. How amazing would that be. It is possible and it does happen. I am not saying one can always be helped but so many times there is a way to make life better. We need to be better at figuring this out.
Take a look at this photo. Could you be in such a dark place that noone can reach you? Could to be where this is exactly where you could be reached? If this is/was you, what would you like someone to ask you? What would you like to ask that person? Would you like help in finding someone who could help during this time? Perhaps you would like to have a hug, an ear to listen, just the feel of someone comforting next to you.
My hope is that if even just one person reading this article takes a moment to learn about a condition or difficult time someone they know is experiencing that they will not be afraid to open the door for discussion. Let’s have those hard conversations. You may not have the answers, but you may be the resource needed to take the next steps. Maybe YOU could find the resource for them. Maybe YOU could be the person who is there just in time.
Mental Health Resources
Here are some mental health resources that you can utilize or share with someone you know who may need the help. Don’t be afraid to offer to help, you may just be the person who connects with them.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/individuals/index.htm
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
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