The importance of mental health has skyrocketed in the last five years. And COVID-19 only showed how critical it is to know and understand the importance of our mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 adults undergo at least one mental health condition every year. 

But the negative stigma related to mental health makes it difficult to openly discuss what it is and its impact on our lives and our loved ones. Some negative stigmas include that people with mental illness are dangerous, unpredictable, and incompetent, which leads to lower self-esteem, hopelessness, and difficulties with social relationships.

Celebrating mental health awareness month helps break the stigma and assist people struggling by providing the necessary support. 

It refers to our “emotional, psychological and social well-being,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Mental health is our state of well-being in which we cope with the stresses of life, work productively, and make positive contributions to our community. It is a state of well-being where we can realize our own potential. We should also recognize the importance of understanding that mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but a state of overall emotional and psychological well-being. 

Mental health is essential because it affects all parts of life, including physical health, relationships, career, long-term goals, and everyday life. It helps us cope with stress, make healthy decisions, and build resilience. Mental health also allows us to recognize and manage our emotions, strengthen relationships, and find purpose and meaning. In other words, mental health is necessary for living a balanced and fulfilling life. 

When we care for our mental health, we can have a better self-image, positively impact our relationships, and improve work productivity. Keeping positive mental health and treating conditions is crucial to well-balanced emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. 

Nurturing mental health also helps with our physical health problems directly linked to mental health conditions, like heart disease and stress. 

Other benefits include:

1. Thinking more clearly
2. Improving our mood
3. Creating a sense of inner peace
4. Reducing our anxiety

Raising mental health awareness can reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and encourage people to seek the help they need. We’ve heard these stigmas and name callings many times before. Words like “crazy,” “insane,” “seeking help is a sign of weakness,” or “therapy and medications are just scams” only hurt us and prevent us from understanding other people. Mental health issues are more common than we realize. It’s good to spread awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and how to seek help. 

Raising awareness helps: 

1. People understand the importance of self-care and how to practice it. 
2. Friends and family recognize when their loved ones may be struggling and learn how to provide support.

Working together to raise mental health awareness leads to de-stigmatization and improving ways to address mental health issues. 

Focusing on mental health awareness teaches us to understand the signs and symptoms of conditions, which is crucial to how successful a treatment will be.

KEEP MOVING Regular exercise works wonders for our mental health. It relieves stress, boosts memory, and helps us sleep better. Whether we choose walking meditation, running the mile, or playing sports, exercise is good for our bodies and brains.

VALUE YOURSELF Be kind to yourself. Don’t get too preoccupied with guilt and self-criticism. Make time for things you love like reading comics, drawing, or buying a tea drink. Treat yourself to things you already love, or you can try something new.

FOCUS ON YOUR SENSES Learn to listen to your body. Does your favorite song calm you down? Does journaling help with your anxiety? Does exercising help you clear your mind and focus? We’re all different people and respond differently to objects or situations. Find out what activity your body responds to.

FIND INNER PEACE There are several ways to try this. You can start by practicing yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. These can improve your focus, strengthen your body, correct your state of mind, and help reduce overall stress levels.

EMBRACE “DOWNTIME” AND RELAXATION Downtime is essential to our mental health. You can never be too busy to ignore your physical and mental well-being. Your mind and body need to recharge. Relax, take a break. Let your mind recover. Your well-being is more important than anything else. 

CREATE A DOABLE GOAL Set small, realistic goals. How small and how practical? Start with fixing your bed or cleaning your desk. You can even set the goal of submitting one college application per week. These baby steps can elevate your sense of accomplishment. 

SHAKE IT UP Change things up a bit! We know that habit is good and makes us better overall. Break your weekly schedule and go on a spontaneous trip. Add an extra mile to your regular bike ride. Or you can redecorate your place.

FIND YOUR TRIBE Your social circles are beneficial. Make sure to always find time to connect with supportive friends and family. Whether it’s a simple text message, a phone call, or face-to-face interaction. Talking to someone you know who cares and understands is an effective way to relieve stress.

TREAT YOUR BODY WELL There’s no mental health without any physical improvements.

1. Eat a healthy diet that supports your mood (Avocados, beans, blueberries, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, and fatty fish rich in omega-3s like salmon, bluefin tuna, mackerel, striped bass)
2. Stay away from smoking, alcohol, vaping, and other drugs
3. Drink lots and lots of water
4. Sleep! We can never emphasize this enough

With so many mobile apps out there for all sorts of things, there are a few mental health apps that improve users’ emotional well-being. Verywellmind lists these three apps among the best mental health apps: 

1. Talkspace - Ranked best overall app
2. Headspace - Best for mindfulness
3. Calm - Best for sleep

We hope to have offered you helpful tips and an accessible way to better understand why we celebrate mental health awareness month.

If you require urgent help, check out some of these helplines. Except for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is open Monday to Friday, 10AM-10PM EST, all helplines are available 24/7.

1. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 
2. The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
3. Crisis Text Line: Text SUPPORT to 741-741
4. Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network: 800-656-4673
5. National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800-950-6264
6. The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386

References:

  BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services - 10 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health 

  University Health Service University of Michigan - Ten Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health

  SELF - Best Mental Health Tips

  Talkspace - Why is Mental Health Important 

  Center for Disease Control and Prevention - About Mental Health 

  Verywell Mind - Best Mental Health Apps

  TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Reducing Stigma

  American Heart Association - Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids