World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day and as someone who has struggled with mental illness over the past three decades I thought it appropriate to write a blog to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to drive efforts in support of mental health.
According to many different internet sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental health can be summed up as a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how someone thinks, feels, and acts, and also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices important at every stage of life.
According to the CDC mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. Additionally,
More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness.
Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Being aware of your mental health should be a priority. Once upon a time ago there was a stigma attached to mental illness and people were afraid to seek professional help for fear of being viewed as weak or unstable. I’d like to think times have changed and more and more people are reaching out for help. I remember a time when getting an appointment with a counselor or therapist was easy and now it seems like first available appointments are more than 30 days out (I actually had to wait 3 months once). Unfortunately, when you are in a situation you need to talk to someone right away, waiting 30 days isn’t feasible. But that tells me - people are utilizing the resources available to make their mental health a priority. Unfortunately, there is still the issue of insurance carriers not fully covering this kind of care and appointment costs could be upwards of $200 a session. So the health industry still has a lot of work to do to make seeking help more affordable and accessible - especially as more people seek preventative care for their mental health.
But I am here to tell you - whether its for you personally, your children, or someone you know there is help available. Maybe you’ve never addressed your mental health before and are not sure where to start. Maybe you’ve tried taking care of your mental health on your own and you haven’t seen a change. Maybe the stigma is keeping you from asking for help. It doesn’t matter the reason or the severity of your mental health - if you need help or assistance managing your mental health, there is a resource I want you to know about: 2-1-1.
211 is a dialing code like 911 (emergencies) or 988 (suicide and crisis lifeline). 211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. Caring, local experts are available to help, 24/7. Sometimes you may not know the exact type of treatment you need. 211 specialists are available to lend a judgment-free ear and help you talk through life’s stressors. Whenever you feel lost, you can rest assured that a call to 211 is a step in the right direction.
In addition to mental health resources, 211 can help you with paying your bills, caregiver resources, disaster recovery, housing and utility expenses, food programs and benefits, healthcare expenses and substance abuse. 211 is your one-stop-shop if you don’t know where else to turn.
And lastly, while I am not a healthcare professional I am still a resource for you in the event you need someone to talk to. I am an open book and glad to share my experiences, my struggles, my highs and my lows with you. I wouldn’t be where I am in life, or the woman I am today, if I never made my mental health and well-being a top priority over everything else. If I can do it - so can you. And you don't have to do it alone.
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