May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May 08 , 2023

Virginia Nuzum-Hayes

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and a time to check-in with yourself and others.  Mental health is a complex subject and can be hard to get beyond a surface level with people who may be struggling and do not want others to know. Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. Anxiety, addiction/substance abuse disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), schizophrenia, and suicidal thoughts are a few of the main mental health conditions that people need help living with and treating. There are things that individuals as well as businesses can do to help spread the word and take action locally to bring light to the subject and help others.  Fundraisers, outreach events, webinars, training luncheons, social media posts, writing your local representatives, and asking businesses to share the mental health toolkit in their monthly communications to employees are a few ideas. Mental health struggles can be debilitating for individuals and sometimes a kind word and conversation can help to lift someone's mood and outlook. If you are looking for resources for help for yourself or someone you know here is a place with some resources https://mhanational.org/finding-help. Remember- the power of positivity and a kind smile to a stranger does go a long way in today's world.