The continual attempt to lessen the stigma associated with mental illness and mental health issues is known as mental health awareness.
Due to misunderstandings regarding mental health and mental fitness, many people experience mental illness in secret and without receiving proper care. An important social effort to raise understanding and access to healthcare is mental health awareness.
Each year, 13% of children, 46% of teenagers, and 19% of adults experience mental illness. People who are battling with their mental health may be members of your family, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, or sit in the same church pew as you.
Only half of people affected, however, receive treatment, frequently as a result of the stigma associated with mental health. Untreated mental illness can lead to higher medical costs, worse academic and professional performance, less job possibilities, and a higher risk of suicide. The millions of Americans who are affected by mental health problems could benefit from increased awareness of these issues. One in five persons have or are presently experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). These figures highlight the reality of how common it is to live with a mental illness.
What is a mental Illness
A mental illness is a physical brain disease that results in cognitive, behavioral, energetic, or emotional abnormalities that make it challenging to manage day-to-day demands of living. The complex reasons of these diseases, which can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain anatomy, having experienced trauma, and/or having another medical condition, such heart disease, are beginning to be revealed through research.
common mental health conditions are:
Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic attacks), generalized anxiety disorder, and particular phobias affect more than 18% of people annually.
Mood Disorders: Each year, mood disorders like depression and bipolar depression impact up to 10% of individuals and are defined by problems controlling one’s mood.
Although the symptoms of each of these mental health issues vary, they can have an effect on every aspect of your life. Actually, how you feel, think, and act depends on your mental health. Your social, professional, and personal lives may all be significantly hampered as a result.
Many persons with mental health issues struggle to manage their symptoms and turn to inappropriate coping strategies to numb their emotional pain. You might thus also be an alcoholic or drug addict. A person who has one mental disease and does not receive treatment is also more likely to go on to develop co-occurring illnesses, necessitating multiple diagnosis therapy in order to fully recover.
All of this information is made available to you thanks to mental health awareness so you can evaluate your own risks and get treatment for any disorders you may be experiencing.
Importance of mental health awareness for students
In certain ways, students are more at risk than other young people. Students frequently need to adjust to new venues and modes of instruction. Higher level classes, increasing workloads, and academic demands call for considerably more self-directed learning as well as the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time. Destructive mental health can easily undermine either of these. Students may experience scholastic decline as a result, which may force them to repeat a year of school or even drop out of university or college. Additionally, even milder mental illnesses might prevent a person from reaching their full potential. An important phase in making the shift from youth to adult independence is early adulthood.
Even though it’s dubbed “mental health,” it actually has a significant impact on your physical health.
Why is it so important for students specifically?
A person spends the most of their youth at school or college. Their mindset and cognitive development are greatly influenced by the events they go through, the people they meet, and how they are treated. Here’s a pretty straightforward example to illustrate my point: A student who had been previously acing their classes has suddenly fallen behind, and because of this, they are continuously criticized negatively, using phrases like “slacking back” or “lost interest.” Sending the specific student to a counselor is a common school remedy for this, so problem solved, right? Wrong. The environment that a student has been exposed to may often be the issue rather than the student themselves. Students should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and starting conversations in class about contentious issues without fear of ridicule. Teachers frequently label as “distracting” kids who enjoy deviating from the lesson plan and engaging in off-topic conversation. The same kid learns to keep quiet and quell their curiosity as an adult. On the other hand, educators who empower their pupils to voice their ideas and inspire them to work hard by emphasizing their positive traits rather than merely their flaws frequently go undetected. This kind of encouragement is vital and will serve as a constant reminder to the student that they have the capacity to achieve great things and that they won’t give up easily.
How can mental health awareness help?
Promoting behavioral health and mental health therapy depends on raising awareness of these issues. It’s an essential and fundamental discussion to have before shifting to a more preventive approach to mental health.
Increasing our awareness enables us to begin recognizing the signs and symptoms when we’re feeling “off” — much like we do with physical illness. Currently, we only replenish our tanks when they are on “empty.”
Know your symptoms-Having a diagnosis can be magical at times. Despite the negative connotations attached to the term, it is only a shortened term for a group of related symptoms.
A diagnosis can be immensely affirming, especially with mental health issues that are challenging to identify — and perhaps impossible to uncover — on a test. It can make patients feel less alone and make finding therapy simpler. Take note of your symptoms
Engage in dialogue-Although there is always a conversation about mental health, until recently it was only whispered. But while skewed thinking is a frequent trait of many mood and anxiety disorders, talking about it can actually be incredibly beneficial.
Shame unfortunately breeds quiet. It also makes it challenging to request assistance at work or in other situations where a mental health diagnosis can make things more difficult.
Improved education-Understanding how mental health affects daily life is essential for family members, loved ones, employers, parents, and carers. Although having a mental health problem can make life more challenging, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot lead a happy and interesting life.
It is simpler to take the necessary steps to take care of yourself and thrive when the people in your life understand and value mental health care.
Encourages mental health-Many of us have made the mistake of assuming that mental health is only concerned with mental disease. However, it is possible to be mentally fit while still having a mental health disorder, and being mentally fit doesn’t always imply not having a mental health condition.
incorporating mental fitness, a proactive approach to emotional health, well-being, and cognitive agility into our understanding of mental health concerns and wellness. It enables us to live with greater passion, clarity, and purpose. In order to embrace mental fitness, it is crucial to lessen the stigma associated with mental health.
Tips for raising awareness of mental health
How can particular people especially non-clinicians influence the spread of knowledge about mental health? Learning to talk and share openly about mental health is a key component of it.
We enable stigma to persist when we remain silent on mental health and fitness. People find it more challenging to put their own mental health first because of this silence.
Here are some suggestions for raising community awareness of mental health issues.
Be a voice for yourself
How frequently do you see someone taking a day for mental health? How frequently do you observe them being open about it? Many of us believe that our physical health takes precedence over our mental health.
Study more about mental health
Spend some time learning about mental fitness and health. But more than that, find out how to tell them apart. Discover the symptoms of burnout, typical mental health issues, and how to look after yourself if you start to experience symptoms.
Consult a coach
Everyone here gets a coach, which is one of my favorite aspects about working for Better Up. We frequently discuss anecdotes or lessons learned from our coaching sessions, whether I’m speaking to a manager, a coworker, someone from another department, or an executive.
What is the importance of mental health awareness?
People with mental health illnesses are not the only ones who can have a dialogue about mental health. Our social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being are all impacted.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t get the treatment they require because mental health is stigmatized. Some people aren’t even aware that there is treatment. These folks experience loneliness and disenfranchisement when they quietly suffer. We lose out on their genius.
One of the top three causes of death in the US each year is suicide. And in recent years, it has increased. Although certain groups are noticeably more at risk than others, this is true for all socioeconomic classes, racial groups, and genders.
Each and every suicide is tragic. Suicide has a huge financial cost. Not only does it justify financial losses, but it’s also traumatic for the surviving family members of the deceased.
We can never completely know how our actions will affect other people, but if spreading awareness will save just one life, it will have been worth it.
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month, which was first instituted by the Mental Health America group. It was developed to inform the public about mental illness, increase awareness of research and treatments, lessen the stigma attached to it, and celebrate those who have recovered from mental illness. People frequently suffer in silence and refuse treatment because of stigma and misunderstandings around mental health disorders. An essential project to better understand mental health disorders and provide access to healthcare for people who require it is mental health awareness.
When is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month is in May. Although it was first acknowledged in 1949, it has never been more important to acknowledge the importance of mental health to our general wellbeing and the need of spreading awareness and providing support for those who need it.
What is the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month?
Whether or whether a person personally struggles with a mental health condition, Mental Health Awareness Month raises awareness of how mental illness affects people’s lives, informs people about the services that are available, and emphasizes advocacy strategies.
The stigma attached to mental illness can be reduced via education and recognition. With the help of Mental Health Awareness Month, a conversation can be started. Speaking openly about mental health can help dispel stigma and misconceptions, as well as motivate those who are struggling to get assistance and connect with others.
It’s critical for loved ones, friends, and caregivers to comprehend how mental health affects daily living. The purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the realities of living with a mental health illness, which can make life more challenging but need not prevent a person from leading a happy and fulfilled life. People who are more knowledgeable about these problems are better able to support and assist those who are struggling with mental health issues.
Events for fundraising, outreach, and awareness can be held during Mental Health Awareness Month. As a result, a more positive and exciting future for mental health care can be created through supporting research, providing funding for treatment alternatives, and connecting advocates.
Who can benefit from Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month aids persons who suffer from a condition in overcoming the stigma and obtaining care. Their loved ones can connect with support systems and have a better understanding of their situation thanks to it. It facilitates the funding of research and treatment for healthcare professionals who treat people with a problem, enabling them to better look after all of our mental health. In conclusion, Mental Health Awareness Month is beneficial to everyone.
Everyone! In the US, over one in every five adults suffers from a mental illness. But even if they do not actually have an illness, that one person has relatives, friends, and other people whose lives are impacted by it. The number of adult Americans who suffer from mental health disorders may surprise you:
- Anxiety disorders affect 48 million people.
- Major depression affects 21 million people.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder affects 9 million people.
- Bipolar disease affects 7 million people.
- Borderline personality disorder affects 3.5 million people.
- Three million people suffer from OCD.
- There are 1.5 million schizophrenics.