Being aware of your overall health is important so that you can detect any symptoms and seek professional help when necessary. While everyone is familiar with the symptoms and treatment options for common illnesses that affect their loved ones, like the flu, migraines, or and (most recently) COVID-19, many people are unsure how to look after their mental health.
Raising mental health awareness can help you to understand your symptoms, find professional treatment, and, perhaps most importantly, break the mental health stigma that leaves so many people suffering in secret.
Which Conditions Need Mental Health Awareness?
Mental health awareness is something that can help the millions of people who are impacted by mental health issues.
The goal with a whole month of mental health awareness is to help people with mental illnesses understand that they are not alone in their struggles—and that getting treatment can make all the difference. If we applied this approach to mental health every day of the year, more and more people could benefit from knowing about these common illnesses.
Some common disorders that need more awareness include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Suicidal ideation
Though all of these mental health conditions have different symptoms, they can impact every aspect of your life. In truth, your mental health influences the way that you think, feel, and behave. This means that your social, professional, and personal life can be greatly impaired.
How Can Mental Health Awareness Help?
Mental health awareness doesn’t just help you. Knowing more about mental health disorders can also help your family members, friends, and coworkers. Three of the main reasons why mental health awareness is so important are outlined below:
- Understand Your Symptoms
A lot of people who have mental health symptoms don’t actually realize that their struggles are a result of untreated disorders. Therefore, mental health awareness is helpful in getting you to understand your symptoms.
While all mental health conditions have different symptoms, some signs to look out for include:
Changes in sleeping patterns
Loss of appetite
Impulsive decision making
Turning to drugs or alcohol in moments of distress
Suicidal thoughts
If you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, you might have a mental health issue that requires immediate treatment. After all, the symptoms of mental health disorders can be incredibly dangerous for both your emotional and physical health. - More Behavioral Health Resources
Another significant benefit to mental health awareness is that the more people know about the need for mental health treatment, the more mental health resources will become available. Without mental health resources, people would not be able to recover.
The most important mental health resources are:
Mental health hospitals
Behavioral health programs
12-step programs
Medical detox from drugs and alcohol
Inpatient mental health treatment
In mental health hospitals you will have all of the resources you need to recover from mental health conditions, heal from co-occurring disorders, and learn strategies to maintain your health after your time in treatment. And mental health resources like crisis service care can keep you safe so that you have the ability to go through treatment. - Break the Mental Health Stigma
Most importantly, mental health awareness can break the stigma of needing mental health care. Having mental health disorders doesn’t mean that you are “crazy.” In actuality, mental health impacts millions of people across the country. With more awareness and the right mental health care, you will realize that you are not alone. Having mental health support gets you one step closer to mental health recovery.
