May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a national observance started in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing. Across the country, individuals and organizations step up to raise awareness of and help address the challenges faced by people living with mental health conditions. Read on to learn more about this observance and how you can move mental health forward for yourself and others this month and all year long.

Why is Mental Health Awareness Important?

Despite recent strides in how our society approaches mental wellbeing, many Americans still don’t have access to the high-quality, comprehensive treatment and care they need. Just take a look at some of the staggering data about mental health in the United States:

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.

Only 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021.

1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.

Only 65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021.

1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.

50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

Where Can I Find Mental Health Resources?

Help is out there, and hope is possible. Here are some free resources if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, confidential support for people in distress.

The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people.

FindTreatment.gov helps people seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health outlines additional mental health services.

What Can I Do To Raise Awareness For Mental Health?

Educate Yourself

There are many resources available to educate yourself on the subject of mental Health.  I’ve listed a few of those resources above.

Advocate for mental health

Advocating for mental health can be as simple as talking to your friends and family about their mental health. A lot of people don’t have anyone to talk to about their struggles, and by being that person for them, you can make a big difference. This is a great first step if you want to do something to help, but don’t know where to start.

Prioritize your own mental health

It’s important to take care of your own mental health, and Mental Health Month is a great time to start. You can start by building basic healthy habits, like getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating healthy. You can also work to build strong mental health habits. My favorite is journaling, which has helped me improve my mental health a lot.

If you or a loved one is in a crisis situation, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.  What if you’re not in a crisis but really need to talk to someone?  You can still call 988.  They will listen and they will help.  If you can’t muster the nerve to call someone, you can text.  Text to 741741.  You can do an online chat at 988lifeline.org.  You can even Tweet with a crisis counselor at @800273TALK on X (Twitter).  Above all, TALK to someone.  Open up to someone that you trust.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  My best you and your loved ones.

Penny Wilson

*I am not a medical professional.  My information comes from my own research and personal experiences.  If you have any questions or if there is a subject on Mental Health that you would like to see me cover here, please reach out to me at pennywilsonwrites@gmail.com.  You can also see more of my writings on this and other subjects at pennywilsonwrites.com.  For Mental Health information and articles click on my Mental Health Help tab.

**Sources for this article include The National Council For Mental Well Being, NAMI-National Alliance On Mental Illness, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Awareness Administration and the Operation Red Wings Foundation.

Copyright © 2024, Penny Wilson, All Rights Reserved