Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness month? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in 5 Americans is affected by mental health conditions. Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The stigma in the African American American community is immensely toxic which result in many individuals suffering from mental illness and never receiving the proper treatment they need. Unfortunately, the perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it.

There are a number of ways to recognize signs of mental illness. Some of the common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents include excessive worrying or fear, extreme mood changes such as uncontrollable "highs", changes in sleeping habits and/or eating habits, strong feelings of anger or irritability, inability to explain changes in behaviors, feelings, or personalities, alcohol or substance abuse, and suicidal or homicidal ideations.

It must also be noted that children can suffer from mental illnesses as well. Far too many children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), when many mental health illnesses have the same symptoms of ADHD. For example, some common signs of mental illnesses in children include extreme anxiety or excessive worrying, defiance, opposition, hyperactivity, frequent temper tantrums, high levels of verbal and/or physical aggression, and changes in school performance. The sad truth is that all too often, children are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment to address their needs.

The first step to addressing mental health is to reach out if you or someone you know is in need of help. In the event of an emergency, it best to contact 911, (800) 950-NAMI, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If there is no crisis, it's best to contact your insurance provider or primary care physician to inquire about what services are covered under your insurance and what, if any, resources can be provided to you.

The most important piece to recognizing mental health is that it is merely one piece to the puzzle of your life. Mental health does not define you or claim you. But it is imperative that you take control of it, before it controls you. For additional informational on Mental Health Awareness month, be sure to check out the following websites:

www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

www.nami.org/mentalhealthmonth

www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-month