01 May Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in May. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health concerns, as well as to help overcome the stigma that so many people face. Despite today’s dramatic and unexpected challenges, it’s also a good opportunity to evaluate the balance in our lives.
Millions of Americans will go through their life with feelings of overwhelming sadness or anxiety without ever knowing why. An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. Mental health conditions affect us all, either personally or through someone we know.
Listed below are a few simple tips to help improve your mental health:
- Let go of material and emotional clutter. This will lessen stress and allow you to focus on what is important to you.
- Practice basic self-care. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and exercising to keep your mind strong,
- Practice deep breathing to reduce momentary anxiety. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold the breath for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Everyone needs a little extra support on occasion.
- Give yourself permission to feel your emotions so that you can properly release them. It is ok to not be ok.
Mental health is serious and not something to shy away from talking about. To learn more about how to speak up early and educate people about mental illness – and how to do so in a compassionate, judgement-free way – visit the National Institute on Mental Health website.
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