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July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness.  Obstacles that minorities face in regard to mental health awareness can include: a lack of health insurance, less access to treatment, and stigma.

Mental illness can affect women and men of all races and ethnicities.

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Mental health includes: emotional, mental, and social well-being. Mental health impacts how a person thinks and feels. It also affects how you act, manage stress, and make choices. When you take care of your mental health, you are better able to cope with stress or challenges. 

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Sometimes it can be hard to manage your mental health. If you have noticed a change in your thoughts, behaviors, or moods that disrupts your life, talk to your health care provider. 

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Your mental health can change at any time in your life. Some risk factors that can play a role in developing mental illness include:

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• Use of alcohol or drugs

• Feeling lonely or isolated

• Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain

• Adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse or sexual assault

• Experiences tied to ongoing medical conditions, like cancer or diabetes
   

Most of the same mental illnesses can develop in both men and women. However, women may have more distinct symptoms. Some common symptoms can include:

• Pulling away from people and usual activities

• Appetite or weight changes

• Ongoing sadness or feelings of hopelessness

• Intense changes in eating or sleeping habits

• Clear changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

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Many parts of daily life can impact your mood and mental health. They can include: stress, your physical health, or the regular demands of life. However, you can improve your quality of life when you take care of your mental health.

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Below are a few ways to manage your mental health overall:

• Get enough sleep each night (at least 7 hours)

• Engage in healthy habits, like exercising and eating well

• Stick to a treatment plan given by your health care provider

• Find a support group and seek out your health care provider for support 
   

Together, we can all do our part to support better mental health for ourselves and others.

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By Dietra Myers