May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, during which Americans are urged to learn, support, and tend to this critical component of overall health. The month encourages a reversal of the traditional stigma and shame attached to mental health challenges, helping people to understand mental health conditions, seek help, and support one another. Finding the proper treatment is the first step towards living a life where mental health can be managed to allow people to live their best lives.
Why May Matters
May is a month of renewal, blooming flowers, and longer days. It’s the perfect month to go deeper into care for oneself and others. During Mental Health Awareness Month, there are many ways that people can engage on this topic. Here are three options.
- Visibility and Advocacy: Until very recently, mental health received negative attention, leading to silence and shame for people suffering from mental health challenges. By spotlighting mental health issues, Mental Health Awareness Month helps reduce stigma and encourage open conversations. It’s a time to acknowledge that mental health is as vital as physical health.
- Education: While the science and approach to treating mental health issues continue to develop, it is critical to acknowledge the toll on individuals and their families suffering from mental health challenges. By spreading the word about mental health – its symptoms, its prevalence, and its treatment – we empower people to seek help and support loved ones. Education is the first step toward helping to address mental health issues.
- Community Support: May brings together communities, organizations, and individuals to foster a sense of unity. Together, we can create a compassionate environment where everyone feels heard and understood.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
The best way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month is to care for your own mental health. For some of us, this can be a critical first step towards finding relief from challenges to the mind and spirit. For some people, poor mental health can be due to a situational crisis that is causing stress, anxiety, or depression. For others, mental illness can be a lifelong battle that requires regular, long-term intervention. Finding the correct diagnosis and treatment that fits the needs of the person suffering is critical.
Seek Professional Health
Professional help for mental health can take various forms. It can be a form of Psychotherapy (talk therapy), and there are dozens of different approaches that can be taken to help a person work with a therapist to gain understanding and mastery over the underlying traumas that can cause or exacerbate poor mental health. Treatment can also include pharmacological intervention through medications to improve mental health. A psychiatrist (a medical doctor with advanced training in psychiatric conditions and treatment) is the best professional to identify suitable options based on your symptoms. When seeking professional care, the best course of treatment can be found by working with professionals with experience in treating mental health conditions whose insights can guide you effectively. Balanced Care that takes a holistic approach to the emotional, physical, and social aspects is key. Finally, trust professionals who combine empathy with medical expertise. They’ll tailor treatment to your unique needs.
Attend to Physical Needs
- Sleep: Prioritize quality sleep. Lack of sleep affects mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
- Nutrition: A balanced diet supports brain health. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Hydration: Dehydration impacts mood and cognitive function. Stay hydrated!
Breaking the Silence
Remember, you’re not alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional. Let’s make May a month of compassion, understanding, and healing. If you are ready to work on your own mental health or you want to explore treatment for a loved one, contact Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates (WBMA) for help. Our team consists of mental health experts, including medical doctors, licensed psychologists, social workers, art therapists, counselors, and other professionals to address your specific needs.
Join us on May 31st at 10 am for a coffee chat with Gonzalo Laje, MD, WBMA’s Director who will be discussing, Exploring Alternative Therapies: Effective Non-Medication Treatments for Depression.
Register here.
