Mental Health Is Important
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | May 1st, 2016
Mental health illness is real. It is just as real as high blood pressure and diabetes. 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. Unfortunately not everyone seeks help. It affects all people regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. No groups of people are exempt. Not talking about mental illness does not mean that it does not exist – IT DOES.
May is mental health awareness month. It is a time to remind ourselves that we need to take care of our mental health the way that we take care of our physical and spiritual health. Just as we know that vaccines can help prevent certain illnesses or cutting down on salt may help with prevention of high blood pressure, we need to think in terms of prevention and early treatment when it comes to mental health. Our diet can play a role. Please read, Healthy Diet: Eating With Mental Health In Mind.
There is no shame if you need help. It is not a sign of weakness if you need medication. For some the support of family and friends might be all that is needed. Some people may just need counseling and others may need counseling and therapy. For some, the minister might be the only person that they need and for others, a health professional who is an expert in mental health illness may be required. There is absolutely no reason to live in silence. You are not alone.
Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), to name a few are real diseases that need evaluation and treatment by a medical professional. Let us get the word out – our mental health is important.
Below are some important links:
31 Tips to boost your mental health (click for calendar format)– I will be doing one a day for the month of May to boost my mental health. Try it.
Suspect that you or a loved one may have a problem; please take one of the screening tests, by clicking here.
You can visit Mental Health America for more information.
In CRISIS – call 1-800-273-TALK
