Today Marks the end of Mental Health Awareness Month

But we can work to advocate for mental health all year long

Photo by Dustin Belt on Unsplash

If you have a mental illness, you are focused on mental health all year long, since it effects your quality of life so deeply. You may be taking daily medications, or going to weekly therapy sessions. Every day, you hope that it is going to be a good mental health day, and that you will have enough energy to function.

This is how I feel since I live with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Sometimes, treatment and coping skills are enough to hold the symptoms at bay, or almost make them disappear completely. However, there is still this nagging wondering at the back of my mind if today will be a good day, or if it is going to be the day that I crack.

For people without a mental illness, life is different. You don’t have to think about your mental health most of the time, unless you are feeling particularly stressed.

However, you may have a friend or family member who is suffering from mental health issues and may need your support either now or in the future. Since one in five Americans has a mental illness, it is likely you will come in contact with someone who has one.

This is why mental health awareness and advocacy are so important. Mental Health effects so many people in our modern society, it is likely we will need to be there for someone who has a mental illness at some point in our lifetimes, and it is helpful to be able to be prepared to react with compassion.

If you want to educate yourself further about mental health issues and coping skills, you can check out my blog for more. I post articles regularly about mental health conditions and how to cope.

When someone you know is struggling with their mental health, the best things you can do are to listen and be supportive. People aren’t always looking for advice or assistance, sometimes just a shoulder to lean on. Other times though, it may be helpful to refer someone to a crisis center or hotline.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you can reach the National Suicide Lifeline by dialing 988.

Taking care of yourself and your mental health, as well as helping your friends and loved ones, is a crucial part of improving mental health of everyone in society. It is important for all of us to remember to practice self-care and manage our stress.

I hope that you all stay well, and that you have learned a lot during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Have a great week,

Nicole Dake