May is National Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Mental Health America’s 2023 State of Mental Health in America report revealed that over 50 million Americans, or 21% of adults, are struggling with a mental illness. It is worrisome that 28% of people with mental illness did not receive the help they require, with the majority saying they could not afford it. Beyond online and in-person therapy, here are some mental health resources:
— Call or text 988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – Get help quickly
— Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Helpline 1-800-662-HELP, or visit FindSupport.gov.
— The Trevor Project: Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.
— Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Last year, the Biden administration launched the new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline “988” to aid those in crisis in getting help quickly. The President encouraged Americans to take care of each other’s mental health in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation, emphasizing that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. COVID-19, social media, bullying, and gun violence have all contributed to two in five adults experiencing anxiety and depression. Two in five teens, too, say that they are frequently melancholy or hopeless. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, and drug overdose deaths are at record highs. This should not be the case.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Take care of yourself; get adequate sleep, eat properly, and exercise regularly. Even a 30-minute stroll every day can help improve your mood and overall health.
- Take mindfulness breaks throughout the day to relax and reduce stress. You can engage in any activity that helps you recharge, such as making tea, stretching, playing with a pet, listening to music, reading a book, etc.
- Build supportive connections and interact with coworkers. Have open conversations about mental wellness and share your personal experiences, both good and bad.
- Seek professional mental health counseling or therapy. Begin by investigating any services available via an employer’s benefits program.
- Learn stress-relieving techniques like yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and guided imagery, and create opportunities for workers to acquire them. This will aid in better managing responses to stressful situations and improve communication with others.
Mental health matters. You matter. Let May Mental Health Month be a good time to reassess what you can do for yourself and others.
