You Are Not Alone
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it is important time to remind you that it is it okay to not be okay. While it might seem like you are the only one who is suffering at times, a lot more people than you may think are also struggling with their mental health. Around 50% of all Americans are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lives, which means mental health struggles are very common throughout the United States.
Your mental health can change throughout your life. Many outside factors, from drastic change to economic troubles, can affect someone’s mind. Luckily, there are many resources and support out there to help you or a loved one struggling with their mental health. 1-in-5 Americans will struggle with mental illness in a given year, so it’s important to be kind to yourself and acknowledge that in any given room, you are not the only one.
Among these adults struggling with mental illness, about 60% were left untreated back in 2011. It’s important to take care of yourself and your mental health, as many mental illnesses can have an impact on your physical health. Depression, for example, can sometimes increase inflammation and change heart rate control, blood circulation, stress hormones, and metabolism. Long-term effects can even lead to conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
With the amount of resources available and the conversation topic becoming more normalized, mental health is something everyone should acknowledge and take care of in order to live healthy, fulfilling lives. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) will be sharing blogs, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and holding national events all month long to emphasize that you are not alone and that help is there for anyone who needs it.
Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month
During the month of May, GBCC Behavioral Health recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month to remind the community that mental health is essential to overall health and those living with mental health issues are deserving of care, understanding, compassion, and pathways to hope, healing, recovery, and fulfillment.
Educational resources about mental health:
Learn about Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
Children’s Mental Health information
Local Support Resources:
Maryland Behavioral Health Administration
Treatment locator for substance abuse and other urgent mental health conditions