This May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness and lowering the stigma regarding mental health. Mental health disorders encompass a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior.
It is important for individuals across the United States, whether or not they are diagnosed with a mental illness, to be knowledgeable of the resources available on mental health. These resources include basic information on mental health disorders, crisis management strategies, treatment options, and advocacy opportunities.
1. Becoming educated
There are many simple, convenient resources to acquire information regarding mental health. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. This organization seeks to educate, advocate, listen, and lead.
NAMI is an excellent resource to help you better understand mental health disorders. By educating yourself on the various aspects of mental disorders, you are more likely to understand and effectively empathize with individuals with a mental disorder, help them to seek out treatment, and support them through advocacy efforts.
2. Handling a crisis
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there are on average 123 suicides per day in the United States alone. An important resource in the fight to prevent this staggering number of suicides is the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. This is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It is also available to those who have any questions regarding crisis management. This resource aims to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention by empowering individuals and building awareness. The number is: 1-800-273-8255.
3. Finding treatment
The treatment of mental health disorders is up to the individual or his or her family. There are, however, convenient resources to help someone learn more about treatment options and even find a treatment center. Psychology Today, an online platform for medical professionals to share advice, offers a national directory of therapists, psychiatrists, therapy groups and treatment facility options.
The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is another useful resource that serves as a confidential and anonymous source of information for individuals seeking treatment facilities in the United States for substance abuse and/or mental health problems. Treatment, whatever form it may take, can be a life-changing opportunity for an individual with a mental health disorder.
4. Advocating for change
It is important for individuals everywhere to support those with mental disabilities, to help create change regarding stigmas and to raise money for research. NAMIWalks is a 5K event that raises awareness and funds for NAMI organizations across the country. This event hopes to create a world that is #stigmafree.
There are many other events similar to NAMIWalks that advocate for mental health awareness. Many colleges and universities have clubs and resources that allow students to become more knowledgeable about mental health disorders, including Active Minds. Get involved and participate in these advocacy and fundraising events.
People across the United States must stand up this Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond to create a society more educated on mental illness, and more passionate about advocating for mental health.
