May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a nationally observed month of recognition to bring attention to the importance of mental health. You may have noticed other people and businesses posting about mental health this month, and you might be wondering what this occasion is all about.
In this article, we will be diving into Mental Health Awareness month and covering more about its history, its importance, and what you can do to promote mental wellbeing for yourself and others this season – and even better, all year long!
When Did Mental Health Awareness Month Start?
The nonprofit organization Mental Health America introduced Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. At its onset, this observance was initially Mental Health Awareness Week – but in the past seventy years, it has expanded significantly. So who kicked off the push for Mental Health Awareness Month… and why?
In the early 1900s, Clifford W. Beers was a recent graduate of Yale University and was working in the finance industry on New York’s famous Wall Street. But after suffering a personal loss in the death of his brother, Beers suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute episodes of bipolar disorder.
At this time in American history, mental health challenges were not widely recognized and understood. Beers was hospitalized for years and experienced many difficulties and traumatic experiences at the hands of his caretakers. When he was released from these institutions in 1909, he partnered with a couple of well-known psychologists to learn more about his conditions and eventually started the charity now called Mental Health America.
The mission of this organization is to educate and inform Americans about mental health issues so that those who are suffering can receive the support they need and those who have loved ones struggling with behavioral or mental health challenges can empathize with and understand what others are going through.
In 1949, Mental Health America launched what is now known as Mental Health Awareness Month to help promote this mission of educating Americans about mental illness and mental health.
Why Is Mental Health Awareness Important?
In the seventy years since Mental Health Awareness Month was first introduced, our society has made incredible strides in how we approach mental wellbeing. Conversations about mental health are becoming less taboo, many mental health care providers accept a range of insurance options, and therapy and medication management are increasingly accessible. However, we still have a long way to go, and education about mental health is an important first step.
For instance, take these five mental health statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health that illuminate places we can continue to make progress as a society:
More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness – that’s 57.8 million people.
Young adults (those between 18 and 25 years old) have the highest prevalence of mental illness, at over 33%.
Only 47.2% of people with mental health concerns received mental health services or treatment.
There’s a gender gap: While 51% of females with mental health concerns received mental health services, only 40% of men with mental health concerns pursued support.
Over 1 in 6 youth (people under 18 years old) in the U.S. have a mental health condition – but only half of those children receive treatment.
As you can see, mental health is a serious concern in our society today. While the number of people who live with a mental illness may not change, the number of people who can access, afford, and understand how to get help can. That is what Mental Health Awareness Month is all about!
How Can You Promote Mental Wellness This Month?
You do not need to work in the field of behavioral health care – like our nurse practitioner therapists – to help yourself and others live their most fulfilling lives. Here are four tips to promote mental health and wellness this month:
#1: Use Your Voice for Good
Advocate for expanding access to mental health care and substance abuse care. When you have open and honest conversations about mental health, that is a positive place to start. Talking about these concerns and sharing your own lived experiences may help others feel comfortable doing the same – and together, we can challenge the stigma that sometimes surrounds mental health!
#2: Donate to Support a Cause You Care About
While not everyone has extra income to spare, a small donation can go a long way. You can choose a cause that is close to your heart and make a contribution to that cause. For instance, The Trevor Project supports suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth and The Child Mind Institute focuses on supporting children who struggle with learning disorders or mental health challenges and their families.
#3: Move Your Body and Spend Time Outdoors
As the spring season blooms, spending more time outdoors and moving your body can be great ways to promote your own mental health and wellbeing. You also get the opportunity to set a strong example for those around you – your peers, children, or colleagues may also be inspired to take time for self-care.
#4: Seek the Support You Need
Most importantly, prioritize your mental health this month by seeking out the support that you need to live your most fulfilling life. As a Maryland wellness center, Triumph Behavioral Health offers a holistic set of services to promote mental wellness. We aim to help our clients get the most out of life – and while there will always be challenges and obstacles along the way, we can work together to find the positives.
What Will You Do to Support YOUR Mental Health?
Are you ready to take the next step toward promoting your own mental health and wellness? Seeking support from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or nurse practitioner can be an important way to kick off your journey. A trained behavioral health provider can help you gain an accurate diagnosis, learn coping strategies, and even offer medication management support.
If you are in the Baltimore, Maryland area, let’s talk. At Triumph, we care.