May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health is just as important as your physical health and wellbeing. Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated to bring attention to how common mental illnesses are; to reduce the stigma around mental health; and to educate the public on the signs of mental illness, how to seek help, and how to talk about mental illness.
Did you know that 1 in 5 US adults experience a mental illness each year? Although 2/3 of people with a known mental illness do not seek treatment because of stigma, lack of knowledge, or lack of availability.
To be an advocate for mental health, recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness or reduced mental wellbeing is important. Mayo Clinic (2019) describes the signs and symptoms of mental illness as:
- “Feeling sad or down
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
- Major changes in eating habits
- Sex drive changes
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Suicidal thinking” or thinking of harming yourself or others (para. 5)
Check out this page for Winona Area mental health resources