This past year many found themselves coping with situations never even imagined. Covid-19 brought about an overwhelming sense of loss. Loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of life as we knew it. The uncertainty of our health, safety, and future provoked anxiety. We were bombarded with stress-inducing new stories about widespread death and illness. Many challenges tested our strength and resiliency throughout the pandemic. As a result, discussing our mental health became part of the conversation, along with topics of quarantine, isolation, and social distancing.
Now, more than ever, we need to keep the conversations going. Mental Health Awareness month allows us to change perceptions surrounding mental health. Common misconceptions often prevent people from seeking the help they need.
Did you know on average, a person who suffers from a mental health-related illness, waits at least a decade before seeking the necessary treatment, because of the stigma surrounding mental health? Why is it that individuals who are suffering from suicidal thoughts are ashamed to come forward and seek help when they need it most? How many more lives must we lose to mental health-related illnesses before we start viewing them for what they are? Illnesses. It is time to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Mental health awareness should not apply only to adults. Children also suffer from mental health problems. Anxiety and depression are among the most diagnosed mental disorders in children. About 75% of children diagnosed with depression also have anxiety.
Mental Health affects 1 in 5
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
Knowing that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Americans’ mental health in all age groups, we should all care about mental health and spreading awareness. Everyone is encouraged to spread awareness about suicide as a global public health problem; what can be done to prevent suicide; reduce the stigma associated with suicide and mental health issues, and let people who are struggling know that they are not alone. Simply put, it is an opportunity to show you care. Whether it be initiating a conversation with someone you are worried about or sharing a message of hope with someone who is struggling.
If you found that the past year impacted your mental health, you are not alone. There are services and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and our communities, to help deal with the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies.
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If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
Visit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) for more resources and Information.
What are Sign & Symptoms of Mental Health Issues?
Are you tired of feeling tired all the time? Do you have problems sleeping? Do you binge eat or have a loss of appetite? Have you noticed that you haven’t felt yourself for some time now? Do you have headaches, body aches, congestion, or a cough? Do you lose your temper or get into arguments with family or friends for no apparent reason?
If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, my guess is you have probably gone online and searched for remedies for your symptoms. I’m sure your friends and family have given you lots of advice from home remedies to the newest fads to help you feel better, but these may not be working. The reason you’re not getting better is that you are treating the symptoms instead of the cause. This is very typical in modern medicine. Short-lived symptoms can be a result of situational events and circumstances. However, if you have been suffering from your symptoms for over a year or more, please seek help.
Recognizing early symptoms of mental illness is critical. Early identification and treatment can make a big difference in the successful management of a condition. For example, major depression is a mood disorder that is more serious than “feeling blue” or temporary sadness. Be alert to any combination of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood (sadness)
- Poor concentration
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Disturbance of appetite
- Feelings of guilt
- Thoughts of suicide
Do you feel like life is not worth living?
You are not alone. Many people go through this. It is okay to talk about suicide. It is important to know, you can get better. Some people can and want to help you. Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or co-worker; or a professional, such as a doctor, mental health counselor, or social worker about how you are feeling.
If you feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, call Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 911 immediately.
Do you know someone who may be considering suicide?
Every 40 seconds, someone dies by suicide. For people with severe depression, it is not uncommon to think about suicide. What you should know if you are worried about someone:
- Suicides are preventable.
- It is okay to talk about suicide.
- Asking about suicide does not provoke the act of suicide, it often reduces anxiety and helps people feel understood.
Let them know that you are there to listen. Encourage the person to seek help from a professional. Help them find a professional to see, and offer to accompany them to an appointment. If you think the person is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone. Seek help from emergency service, a crisis line, or healthcare professional. Stay in touch to check how the person is doing.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Treating the cause – We can help
At Dr. Diane Brain Health, we have an integrative team of brain health experts including traditional medical doctors, such as primary care, psychiatry, endocrinology, neurology, psychology, social work, physical therapy along with complementary and alternative therapy such as nutritional education, chiropractic, acupuncture, reiki, and massage.
Using Dr. Diane’s 5-Prong approach we aim at treating clients/patients as a “whole”. Each person is seen from the five distinct views that make up our approach: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and energy because these areas intertwine and each needs to be addressed. From this approach, your current symptoms are assessed and evaluated. From there, specific causes are addressed and a customized treatment program is developed specifically for both your current symptoms AND the causes of your symptoms.
To schedule a consultation, call (978) 352-6530 or toll-free at (888) 760-8730.
There is help. There is hope.
There is a Way!®
