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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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Mental Health Awareness is bringing awareness to oneself about your psychological well-being and state of mind.  It is recognizing our feelings and emotions and being aware of how we feel about the things that happen to and for us in life.  It is okay to express how you are feeling and educate yourself about mental health.  Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have experienced personal and professional losses that can put a strain on our mental health and mental stability.  The stressors of life can impact your mental health.  It is important to identify the emotion that you are feeling and strategize about how you can handle what you are feeling, in a positive way.

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When life's stressors become too much for you to handle, it is time for you to seek professional help.  Most people who are affected by mental illness do not seek treatment, because of the stigmas attached to mental health.  The stigmas attached to mental health are usually labels like, insane or crazy.  However, mental health is a physical illness of the mind that causes a negative shift in the way we think, behave, feel, as well as affects our energy level.  It is usually caused by some type of trauma or irrational thought.  Those things make it challenging for us to cope with life. 

 

People with mental health challenges experience anxiety, mood disorders, and depression and when it is not treated it can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease or even death.   The type of mental health challenge you experience will determine what type of treatment is best for your situation/circumstance. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Psychotherapy, prescription medication, spiritual guidance, meditation, and counseling.  A psychological evaluation can help determine the best treatment program for you.  To get the best treatment, you have to be honest with yourself about what you are feeling and honest with your therapist, so that he/she can give you the best help.  Despite what you go through in life, you can get through it.  Sometimes, it might be hard to handle alone, so it is okay to get help.  If you struggle with mental health challenges you can get Free, Confidential help 24-hours a day, 365 days a year by calling SAMHSA's National Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.  Be well.

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By Dietra Myers