May is mental health awareness month. Given that spring is upon us which is a season of change, it is a good time for self-evaluation. With the chaotic world we live in it is necessary to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize that we are all connected by being innately human. Human by Merriam Websters dictionary: of or characteristic of people as opposed to God, animal or machines, especially being susceptible to weakness. We can be flawed and it is okay; no one is perfect. Having a mental illness does not make any individual “less than,” it makes us human!
There are a myriad of mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and schizophrenia just to name a few ) that we humans suffer from that go undiagnosed and untreated because of the stigma associated with mental illness, but it does not have to be and should not be this way. More than 43 million adults in the U.S. experiences mental illnesses in a given year according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. There are multiple ways mental illnesses can be managed, no one should suffer in silence alone.
Treatment options include, but are not limited to:
- Therapy (by psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical therapist)
- Medications
- Bio-feedback training
- Yoga
- Accupuncture
- Meditation
- Support groups
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. with 44,000 Americans dying by suicide each year (AFSP.org).
If you or a loved one are contemplaing hurting yourself or others please contact the suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-8255.
Please reach out for help, you are worth it!