Mental Health Awareness: Why It Matters and How You Can Help
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health and mental illness. It is important to raise awareness, as it helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, educate people about mental illness, and increase access to mental health resources.
Mental health is just as important as physical health but is often overlooked. Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status and can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in mood, behavior, and thinking.
In fact, one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness each year, and yet many people do not seek help for fear of stigma or judgment. This is a major problem, because untreated mental illness can lead to a number of negative consequences, including trouble in school or at work, job loss, relationship problems, and even suicide.
Stigma has always been a major barrier to mental health care. People who are struggling with mental illness often feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek help. This can lead to isolation and loneliness. Mental health awareness can help to reduce the stigma by educating people about mental illness, and the fact that it is a common and treatable condition.
That's why it is so important to raise awareness about mental health. When we talk about mental health, we break down the stigma that surrounds it and we make it easier for people to seek help. We also learn more about mental illness and how to prevent it.
There are many ways to raise awareness about mental health. You can talk to your friends and family about it, share information on social media, or volunteer for a mental health organization. You can also donate to organizations that are working to improve mental health care.
No matter how you choose to get involved, every little bit helps. By raising awareness about mental health, we can make a real difference in the lives of people who are struggling.
Here are some specific things you can do to help raise awareness about mental health:
- Talk about it. The first step to raising awareness about mental health is to talk about it. Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about your own experiences with mental illness, or about the experiences of others you know. Share information about mental health resources and support groups.
- Educate yourself. The more you know about mental health, the better equipped you'll be to talk about it and to help others who are struggling. There are many resources available to help you learn more about mental health, including websites, books, and articles.
- Support mental health organizations. There are many organizations working to improve mental health care. You can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering your time, or spreading the word about their work.
- Challenge stigma. One of the biggest challenges facing people with mental illness is the stigma that surrounds it. When we challenge stigma, we help to create a more supportive and understanding environment for people with mental illness. There are many ways to challenge stigma, such as speaking out against negative stereotypes, or sharing your own story of recovery.
By raising mental health awareness, we can create a world where everyone has the support they need to thrive!
Mental Health Resources
High Country Behavioral Health provides mental health and addiction services in Western Wyoming and Eastern Idaho.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1.800.662.4357 is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Wyoming-Based Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK
Idaho Suicide Prevention 208-398-4357