Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is about bringing awareness to mental health and removing the negative stigma attached to it. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
When is Mental Health Awareness Month?
May
Examples of Mental Health Disorders:
- Anxiety & Panic Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Substance Abuse & Addiction
How to Honor Mental Health Awareness Month:
- Participate in a walk for mental illness or suicide prevention.
- Have a movie night with friends and watch a movie or TV series that you think starts a good conversation about the importance of mental health.
- Do something nice for a friend or even a random stranger. You never know what someone is going through and one random act of kindness can really change a person’s day.
- Treat yourself to something special today – a mani/pedi or a spa day. Doing something special for yourself will help to reduce anxiety.
Trivia/Facts:
- Mental disorders affects one in five people globally.
- Women are more likely to get help for mental health issues.
- 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.
- 18% of Americans live with an anxiety disorder.
- There are several days that are about mental health including; World Maternal Mental Health Day (May 6) and National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (May 9)
- In recent years, a number of celebrities have spoken out about mental health, helping to reduce the stigma associated with it. This includes Demi Lovato, Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and many more.
Popular Social Media Hashtags:
#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #fightthestigma
Other holidays in May to be on the lookout for include: National Missing Children’s Day, National Water a Flower Day, National Nurses Day,Star Wars Day and International Space Day.