May is Mental Health Month

What is mental health?

A variety of factors contribute to our feelings of wellness, including our physical, mental, and emotional health. When we are in a good state of mental health, we are productive and adapt well to change and adversity. We might not feel blissfully happy, but we are able to handle life’s ups and downs with reasonable ease. When we lose the ability to handle life’s challenges effectively and with good perspective, a mental health disorder might be the root of the problem and needs attention. There are many kinds of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar, and others. While we don’t know all the causes, we do know that they are real and treatable medical conditions, equally as important to address as physical ailments.

It’s time we open up and change our perceptions of mental illness.

Mental health challenges are very common and can impact people just like you. In fact, 50% of us will experience a mental health challenge in our lifetime. Unfortunately, there are many misperceptions about mental illness and the people experiencing them. Research shows that many people do not reach out for support for reasons such as shame or fear of being treated differently and unfairly. The truth is, people recover from mental illness all the time. With support and treatment, between 70% and 90% of individuals report reduced symptoms and improved quality of life. But they can’t do it without support from family, friends, and their communities. Open up and talk openly about mental illness.

You can make a difference.

There are many ways to help a friend or family member who is experiencing mental health challenges. Don’t be afraid to Speak Up and start the conversation. Community members who reach out for support and treatment, can recover from a mental health challenge and get better, but the unfortunate truth is that stigma and discrimination often times get in the way of people reaching out for support. One in five adults experiences a mental illness in any given year. However, it takes an average of 6 to 8 years from onset of symptoms of a mental health challenge before people reach out for help. You can do your part to reduce stigma about mental illness by speaking up, talking openly, and showing compassion for those experiencing mental illness. If you suspect that a friend or family member is struggling with depression, anxiety or another mental health challenge, the best thing you can do is Speak Up. Recovery is common, and there are a number of treatments that are effective and readily available. Just one person reaching out can make a difference.

Help is available.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing an emotional crisis or needs immediate help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or 988. You can also call the Helpline at (951) 686-HELP (4357) if you are concerned about someone, just need to talk, have questions about how to offer support, or if you are looking for information about community resources, mental health referrals, and alcohol and drug support services.

It’s Up to Us to make a difference. No matter how you contribute to Mental Health Awareness Month, you can make a difference.

Connect with It’s Up to Us Riverside online throughout the month of May!