Mental Health Awareness Month 2022 in United States
Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) occurs every May, and it’s an initiative to highlight mental health issues and encourage people to seek help and treatment if they need it. The month also seeks to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages open conversations about these issues in order to prevent suicides, violence, and other problems associated with low mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Mental illnesses are common in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately one in five U.S.
Why Should You Care About Mental Health?
How often do you recognize your own mental health? If your answer is not very often, you’re not alone. We know that mental health affects nearly every aspect of our lives, from relationships to work and even our physical health. And yet, many people don’t think about their mental health outside of when they feel negative emotions. What if we could make it a priority to recognize and improve our mental health? A good place to start is by recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in June—and getting informed on how to better care for your own mind. This comprehensive guide will give you insight into what Mental Health Awareness means, why it’s important and how we can all learn more about our personal minds.
Asking For Help
Stigma is one of the biggest hurdles to achieving mental health parity. If people can’t ask for help, they’re unlikely to get it. Mental Health Awareness Month in June is a great time to start; now’s as good a time as any to begin normalizing conversations about mental health by talking about it and requesting resources when you need them most. To start on a local level, consider contacting your employer or school district and asking them to sponsor an event where you can learn more about dealing with stress. Or talk with someone who seems like they could use some support: that could be a friend, coworker, classmate or relative—or anyone else who will listen without judgment.
Dealing With Grief
Whether you’re experiencing grief yourself or supporting someone else who is, there are a few things that can help. Consider finding a therapist to talk through your feelings, have some people around you that you trust to listen and help give perspective on what’s happening, or get out and do something fun. Dealing with grief is tough; it’s important to be patient with yourself and give yourself time to feel better. If you are really struggling after 2-3 weeks of intense grieving, then it might be good to speak with a mental health professional. If necessary they can refer you onto other services such as counseling or support groups where people who have been through similar experiences can listen, share their stories and offer advice on how they got through it.
Talking About Mental Illness with Family and Friends
Open discussion about mental health with family and friends can be a great way to raise awareness and begin a conversation about how you can access professional help. Asking questions such as What do you know about mental illness? or Would you mind sharing your experiences, thoughts, or concerns related to mental health? are great ways to start a discussion that may lead toward seeking treatment. One way to ensure everyone is comfortable with your conversation is to share resources available for those who need more information. You might also consider supporting World Mental Health Day each year on October 10th by starting your own local initiative. This global campaign works toward raising awareness for mental health and reducing stigma so people living with mental illness can live healthy, productive lives.
Dispelling Myths About Mental Illness
Addressing mental health is especially important during Mental Health Awareness Month. Although people with mental illness are often depicted as dangerous and irrational, there are several myths that need to be dispelled, such as: People with mental illness are violent. Most people with mental illness will never be violent. In fact, violence is far more likely to occur among those who do not have a diagnosis of a serious mental illness.
Empowering People Living With Mental Illness
As mental health awareness grows, we must use our collective voice to shift focus from being aware of mental illness to offering support. Having a severe mental illness can be debilitating and isolating. Whether you’re living with a mental illness or supporting someone who is, it’s crucial that anyone facing these challenges feels loved and accepted by their community—and receives help when they need it most. Join us during Mental Health Awareness Month for a pledge-based campaign aimed at empowering people living with mental illness to reach out for help and express their unique identity without shame or fear of rejection. Start thinking about how you can get involved now. You don’t have to wait until May 2022!