May is Mental Health Awareness Month
/May is mental Health awareness Month and a time to bring about increased awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma. In a study from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics of Norh America (January 2022), 21.8 percent of U.S. children ages 3 to 17 years old have one or more of the common mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions assessed. This statistic is 1 in six kids, with only half receiving treatment. 19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness (1 in 5 adults) with 4.91% experiencing a severe mental illness. 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
We can use this month and beyond to create open mental health discussions to better our education and understanding of mental health in all its forms. We need to care for our individual mental health in order to be healthy. This is key for work/school performance. We also need to cultivate positive mental health in order to handle stress, anxiety, changing responsibilities and demands in personal and with school and jobs. When we can empathize and support one another, we can create a more supportive community.
It’s okay to not be okay. Mental Health awareness includes any mental behavioral disorder, such as, however not conclusive:
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Mood Disorders, including bipolar Disorder
· Personality Disorders
· Psychotic Disorders, including schizophrenia
· Trauma, Complex Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Eating Disorders
· Substance use/abuse Disorders
For additional resources, please visit any of the following:
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/mhawarenessmonth.pdf
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/digital-toolkit-for-mental-health-awareness-month