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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
by Subrata Paul, Program Manager, Cayuga County
Mental health plays a vital role in our overall health, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It can affect how we think, feel, and act. This can influence our daily lives, relationships, and productivity. Mental health encompasses mental health challenges as well as the presence of positive characteristics such as resilience and coping skills.
Sometimes, people might feel worried about asking for help because they are afraid of what others might think or react. This can exacerbate their condition and prevent them from getting the support they need.
Awareness of mental health challenges can impact the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage open conversations about those challenges. This helps foster understanding, compassion, and support. Well-known and respected figures are starting to discuss their own struggles with mental health, including author John Green, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and activist Tarana Burke. By sharing their stories, they help reduce stigma and help people see that it's okay to ask for help when they need it.
Besides learning and talking about mental health, it is also important to take proactive measures to promote mental well-being through self-care and prioritizing one’s own needs. Community support is also instrumental in promoting mental health and well-being, whether that is through peer support, online forums, or local organizations.
Mental Health Awareness month also serves to help empower individuals and organizations to advocate for policy changes, increased funding for mental health services, and improved access to care.
For those wanting to learn more about how they can help friends and family who may be having mental health challenges, SAMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a toolkit (www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month/toolkit) which includes respectful language in having conversations. In addition, they host a symposium for older adult mental health challenges (www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month).
If you are needing help with your own mental health challenges, reach out to your physician, family, and friends. Other resources include NAMI-NY (naminys.org/resources/) which include a helpline, resources and program.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness, provide support, and break the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. The commitment to mental health does not end with the month of May but is an ongoing journey that requires effort, compassion, and advocacy year-round. By continuing to prioritize mental health wellbeing and expand access to care, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
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