Mental Illness Awareness: Your Mind Matters

Mental Illness Awareness: Your Mind Matters

By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health

October 5, 2021

Mental illness affects about one in every five adults in the United States. The isolation and feelings of loneliness prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused the number of new mental health cases to rise. Chances are, you know someone who is struggling with their mental health. It could be a family member, a neighbor, your child’s teacher, a coworker or a friend. Sadly, only half receive treatment, as many feel the unfortunate weight of the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

Mental illness can severely impact people’s lives—not only for the person dealing with the health issues, but also for their surrounding loved ones. Mental illness can cause disruption of thoughts, behaviors, energy and emotions and makes it hard to cope with daily life. The causes of mental disease can vary but can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, traumatic experiences and even heart disease. Some of the most serious types of mental illness in the U.S. include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders and autism spectrum disorder. The illness itself may be different, but each one can affect an individual’s ability to live life to the fullest and, at the worst, can lead to fatal outcomes.

This is why, each year, during the first week of October, we observe Mental Illness Awareness Week as an opportunity to fight intolerance, offer support and raise awareness of mental illness.

While October 3-9 is dedicated to mental health awareness, you can become informed and help spread awareness year-round. Here are a few simple steps you can take in your community:

• Show respect, acceptance and compassion to those around you. People struggling with mental illness want to be treated fairly, without judgment.
• Be an advocate within your own social circle.
• Learn as much as you can about mental health and share your knowledge with others.

Help a friend or family member.

Many people worry about saying the wrong thing to someone who is struggling, but the reality is listening without judgement can help make a person feel validated and truly heard. In addition to being a good listener, one of the best ways to offer support is to help your friend or loved one find professional services.

Make your own mental health a priority.

Sometimes it can be easier to care for others and take your own mental health for granted. But now is the time to prioritize your mental health. Making small changes to your daily routine can have a big impact. Self-care looks different for everyone. Here are some examples of what you can do to take care of your mental health:

• Find support from others.
• Stay connected.
• Exercise.
• Get enough sleep.
• Write down your thoughts in a journal.
• Take part in activities you enjoy.
• Ask your primary care provider for a referral to a counselor. Get help from a professional when you need it.

If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, get help right away.

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
• Text (HELLO) to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all calls are confidential.