May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. 

Mental health is wealth, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month, which is celebrated in May. The stigma around mental health and treatment has long existed, even though this has started to change. Still, people hesitate to seek help or even talk about it with their loved ones for fear of being judged and facing unnecessary backlash. Simple logic dictates that if we are hurt anywhere, we must seek treatment to get better. 

Mental Health America 2023 campaign is focused on how surroundings impact mental health, and we are calling for individuals to look around, look within.

Topics that they specifically address include:

• Safe and Stable Housing
• Healthy Home Environments
• Neighborhoods and Towns
• The Outdoors and Nature

They help people understand how these topics impact mental health, provide tips for actions people can take to change their surroundings in favor of their well-being, and suggestions for how to cope if change isn’t realistic.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019).
• The prevalence of any mental illness (AMI) was 24.5% for females and 16.3% for males.
• People aged 18-25 had the highest prevalence of AMI (29.4%), followed by those 26-49 years old (25%), while those aged 50 and older had the lowest prevalence (14.1%).

Over the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and others within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and across the Federal Government, the public health community, and the general public have made efforts to increase the importance of understanding both prevention and treatment of mental health problems. These efforts have significantly improved the outlook for those affected by mental illnesses.

Together, we can make an impact!

Mental Health Month gives all of us a valuable opportunity to celebrate the tremendous strides this Nation has made in promoting mental health and increasing the public’s knowledge that effective services and support are available.

Now Dial 988 for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Disclaimer: Health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before you start, change or modify your medications, lifestyle or current treatment regimen.

Picture credit: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm

Mental Health Month | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)

References

https://www.cdc.gov/howrightnow/index.html

May is Mental Health Awareness Month | AHA

May is National Mental Health Month | Youth.gov

https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month | American Behavioral Clinics

Mental Health Awareness Month | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

Mental Health Month | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)

Mental Health Month 2021 – National Council for Mental Wellbeing « National Council (thenationalcouncil.org)

https://nationaltoday.com/mental-health-awareness-month/