Preserving your mental and physical health is the key to reaping the full benefits of a long and happy life. That’s why it’s so vital to focus primarily on these entities if you wish to live life to the fullest. That’s also why the entire month of May is dedicated to focusing on preserving your mental health.
The purpose of this month is intended to teach you how to persistently treat and maintain your mental health beyond this month. Furthermore, you can take this opportunity to do your part and raise awareness for mental health for others. Here is everything you need to know about preserving your mental health while helping magnify its importance and impact globally.
A Brief History of Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health awareness month has been recognized every year since 1949 by the Mental Health Association. Clifford Beers, the original organization founder under a different name, dedicated his life to ensuring the reform and recognition of mental health treatment. Being one of five children who struggled with mental health gave him a first-hand understanding of mental health disorders.
Beers’ experiences as a mental health patient saw him witness the poor conditions and patient neglect firsthand. These experiences inspired him to start the organization in an effort to reform the mental health industry. His sole purpose was to magnify and raise awareness for mental health and redefine how mental health patients are treated. Mental health experts at Jaywalker dedicate themselves to preserving his vision, empathy, and desire to meet the needs of all who struggle with mental health disorders.
Are Mental Health Problems Common in the US?
Contrary to popular belief, mental illness is very common not just in America, but in the entire world. Globally, 90% of the over 2,000 suicides per day are related to mental illness Almost equally disturbing is the fact that America records some of the highest rates of mental illness in the globe. According to recent statistics, nearly 1 in 4 Americans reportedly suffer from mental illness. Bear in mind, this does not include the many conditions that remain unreported or hidden.
To add insult to injury, Colorado stands alone as the state with the highest mental illness rates in the country. We wholeheartedly aim to be the solution. Jaywalker can be your escape to gain freedom from the bondage of your mental struggles. With a location primed to ease your mind and experts equipped with state-of-the-art training, your mental health goals are finally within your grasp.
What Are The Most Common Mental Health Disorders?
Mental health disorders come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. It’s vitally important to understand that no disorder is less important than the other. Some disorders, however, are more common than others. Here are just a few of the most common mental health conditions in the United States.
Depression
Depression is characterized by a sense of hopelessness, lack of self-worth, and utter discouragement. People with depression are often stuck in a perpetual state of sadness. This is why this dangerous mental disorder remains the leading cause of suicides in both the country and the world.
According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 21 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode. Doing your part to raise awareness for mental health can make a difference in the lives of the millions who experience depression. This could, in turn, spare a life from the depths of depression and suicide.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is another common disorder that usually stems from traumatic life experiences. These experiences can include but are not limited to, a mentally or physically abusive childhood, near-death experiences, or military experiences. People with PTSD can usually lead otherwise normal lives when provided with the right treatment program. Reach out to Jaywalker today to find the right treatment program that suits your individual needs.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are perhaps the most prevalent disorders in the world, covering a broad spectrum of mental health conditions. These conditions include generalized anxiety disorder, a number of phobias, and several panic-related disorders. If left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to the development of more mental health conditions or exacerbate preexisting anxiety. You can receive the top-notch treatment you deserve at Jaywalker.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders make up a staggering 9 percent of the world’s population. An equal 9 percent of Americans, just shy of 30 million in the US, also struggle with eating disorders. This group of mental disorders consists of starving disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and even body dysmorphic disorder. These disorders can eventually cause more permanent and irreversible health problems if left untreated. If you or someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder, it’s vital to seek immediate medically-aided therapy.
How Can You Help Raise Awareness for Mental Health?
It’s one thing to talk about raising awareness, it’s an entirely different matter to take action. It starts with looking for these opportunities and acting upon them. Mental health awareness month provides ample opportunities to get involved. You can help raise awareness for mental health in your area by doing the following.
Attend Community Events
Community events such as AA meetings and other community awareness activities are great opportunities to raise awareness for mental health. These events are usually posted in local news articles, downtown areas, or public community centers. Search for local events online or on your local community board to find out how you can make a difference in your region.
Volunteer
One of the greatest ways to take action and raise awareness for mental health is to volunteer your services at recovery clinics or centers. This can be done simply by reaching out to a rehab for men and asking how you can help. You’d be surprised how much help your community needs. Most impactfully, you’ll find out just how much you can make a difference simply by making yourself available.
Take the Initiative to Form a Support Team
Starting your own support group by taking names and sharing contact info can help you make a difference. Upon taking names, you can submit your list to local recovery centers to be chosen to be an accountability partner for someone else. This means opening yourself to be a point of contact for somebody when they need someone to talk to.
Share Your Story at Local Mental Health Establishments
The strength of your personal testimony and struggles with mental health can encourage others to be brave. Never underestimate the impact your experiences can have on someone else who may be hesitant to reveal or confront their mental health struggles head-on. Your story could be exactly what somebody needs to get over that hurdle.
What is The Stigma Behind Mental Health Illness?
When mental health was first recognized in 1949, people with mental illness were frowned upon and thought of negatively. This prejudicial stigma has come a long way thanks to the efforts of the Clifford Bears movement. However improved this may be, it unfortunately still exists in society in some form.
It’s important to understand there’s no shame in having a mental illness. It does not make you inferior in any way and often means the opposite. You can take pride in who you are, regardless of your condition. At Jaywalker, you will never be judged and always be treated with the utmost respect. Our treatment experts and patients alike have tremendous admiration for anybody who has the strength and courage to confront their mental health struggles.
Mental Health Awareness Month FAQs
Why Have Gender-Specific Therapy?
The biological differences between men and women often require very different and unique approaches. While every form of treatment requires an individualized approach, men and women respond very differently to various treatments. Jaywalker Recovery understands this and hones all efforts on medically-designed treatment intended to help men share and confront their mental disorders.
How Exactly Is Mental Health Treatment Different For Men Than for Women?
Men tend to be less open about their struggles than women for a number of reasons. For starters, many men have a tendency to consider opening up to be a sign of weakness. Furthermore, admitting you have a problem often makes men feel inferior when in fact both couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The truth is, it takes more strength to open up about your struggles and admit there’s a problem than it does to hide them. Let Jaywalker help you find that inner strength to open up. You’ll find opening up about your mental health struggles could open the floodgates to innumerable benefits in recovery.
Let Jaywalker Be Your Permanent Escape To a Better Life
When people arrive at the naturistic ease of Jaywalker, they feel a profound sense of a fresh start. You can have that same feeling in recovery by reaching out to our team of dedicated experts today. Let us show you how you can take control of your mental health struggles and symptoms. Freedom from your symptoms begins with the first simple step of speaking to one of our caring mental health receptionists now.
References: https://clubhouse-intl.org/our-impact/about-mental-illness/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
