Since 1949, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have observed May is Mental Health Month by reaching out to millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings.
This is a month when people all across the mental health community join together to help spread awareness around mental illness to let people know that they are not alone.
The stigma that surrounds mental illness and mental health makes it difficult for some people to seek treatment and get the help that they need and deserve. The stigma can cause some people to feel shame about the symptoms and struggles that they are facing. They may be embarrassed to seek help for fear that others will find out, and they may feel alone in their struggles like they’re the only ones going through a similar situation.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are 1 in 5 adults in America living with a mental illness, and yet, the stigma still exists, causing people to feel like they may be the only ones. This is the reason that Mental Health Awareness Month is so important.
Here are some ways that you can participate, along with a mental health community:
1.) Share your story.
2.) Educate Yourself On Mental Health And Wellness.
This could include learning how to practice good self-care habits to protect your own mental wellness. Or, this could include learning about specific mental illnesses that you may have wrong beliefs about.
3.) Talk to a therapist.
Some people mistakenly believe that therapists are only able to help people with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Because of stories that they hear on TV or in the media, they may struggle to see that many mental health challenges impact people daily. This includes things like anxiety and depression or troubled relationships.
4.) Focus on your self-care.
Self-care habits include things such as getting the proper amount of sleep, making healthy food choices, getting regular physical activity into your schedule, and participating in activities that you enjoy and that help recharge you. If you’re feeling burnt out and exhausted in life, then adding self-care habits to your day may be able to help improve this.
5.) Support those around you.
When you are familiar with some of the symptoms of common mental health challenges, it can help you to identify people that may be struggling in your life. This doesn’t mean that you’re responsible or able to fix anyone, and you shouldn’t be trying to fix them. Instead, if you recognize that they may be struggling, it allows you to see how you can support them.
6.) Address Any Stigmas That You Have.
You may be falling for the mental health stigmas that exist without even realizing it. If you want to address mental health awareness, it’s important to also look at yourself to see if you can identify any areas where you are contributing to the stigma that exists.This can include things like believing people with mental illness are more dangerous than others or feeling like they may not be as capable in the workplace. It can also be supporting media such as TV shows that use stigmatizing language and behaviors.
7.) Support A Mental Health Non-Profit Organization
Many different non-profit organizations support mental health awareness. You can choose an organization that has a personal connection to you and find out how you can support them in their efforts. There are organizations for things like substance abuse disorders, depression, suicide prevention, and many other specific focuses.
8.) Download the free toolkit from Mental Health America.
It includes information about managing your feelings, toxic influences, healthy routines, and how does support connect with others. It also includes the following:
1.) Adapting after trauma and stress
2.) Dealing with anger and frustration
3.) Getting out of thinking traps
4.) Processing big changes
5.) Taking time for yourself
6.) Radical acceptance
For more information and to download the whole toolkit, click here.
The Door SwitchTM wants to continue the fight for more awareness and provide additional resources to dispel the myths about mental health issues and solutions for safety issues. We also continue to strive to provide a product that keeps the hospital environment safe. We continue to be committed to better practices and procedures in the mental health community. For information concerning our safety product, please click here.
Sincerely,
The Door SwitchTM
