May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal of establishing a month out of the year to spread awareness for mental health issues is to provide individuals with information about mental health issues so that the stigma surrounding these issues is overcome and people can find the help they need through treatment. Find out more about the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month, when to seek help, and what Delray Center for Healing is doing to spread awareness for mental health issues.
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, over 57 million Americans, or one of every 5 adults, is living with a mental illness. With so many people living with mental health issues, it’s important to shed light on how people living with these conditions can get the help they need to overcome and manage symptoms. Unfortunately, stigmas surrounding mental health issues keep people from getting the help they need. While help is readily available, stigmas that people with mental health issues are violent, abnormal, or untreatable can reduce the motivation for people to reach out for professional assistance. But, when awareness is spread that these stigmas are merely myths, they can be overcome. And, people who are living with the debilitating symptoms of mental health issues can feel safe and supported in getting the help they need.
The primary goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to provide communities with information and resources that can help to spread awareness about mental health issues. Ultimately, reaching people in need who may not have access to care or may feel that help is out of reach. This way, more people can better understand the impacts of mental health issues and have the resources and information they need to get individualized care.
One of the ways to spread awareness about mental health issues is to help people who may be struggling with these issues recognize that they may need help. Every mental health issue and every person living with a mental heatlh issue may be living with different symptoms. However, there are some general symptoms of mental health issues to look for that can help people living with these issues determine whether or not they need help.
Some examples of mental health symptoms that can mean a person can benefit from getting help may include:
A part of the objective of Mental Health Awareness Month is to spread insight into mental health stigmas and their impact of them on people living with mental health issues. Mental health is just as important as physical health, so people living with mental health issues should have the same access to care as a person with a physical health condition. But, unfortunately, they do not. People living with mental health issues don’t feel that they can open up about their mental health issues as they are not treated as seriously as physical health issues, so they may not ever get the help they need.
Addressing the stereotypes, myths, and stigmas that surround mental health issues is important for spreading awareness. When more people are open to accepting mental health issues as common and important to address with treatment, more people can open up about their struggles and be supported in getting help.
Delray Center for Healing understands the importance of spreading awareness for mental health issues and works to provide resources and education to people who may be struggling with mental health issues. Find out more about our programs, services, and facilities today from our website.