Why Mental Health Month Should be #ALLYEARLONG
Please note: This post discusses mental health issues such as suicide, depression, and anxiety which could be triggering to some readers.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month?
You got it. As it turns out, you did not hear it here first, becuase this has been happening all month long.
Why are you just talking about it now?
Because it’s going to be an important issue even after we turn the calendars to June, July, August, etc. While raising awareness around a specific population or issue during one month is important, it’s also critical to keep the conversation going.
So what do I need to know?
The conversations around mental health have shifted dramatically over the last decade. Part of that is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the collective trauma we all faced last year, but part of that is because mental health issues became something we couldn’t ignore anymore.
The rates of suicide have increased 33% from 1999 to 2019, making it the second leading cause of death in young millennials (those 25-34) in 2018, behind unintentional injury. (Data from the Center for Disease Control and National Institute of Mental Health). When it comes to buzzwords like anxiety and depression, anxiety affects over 18% of the U.S. population, while depression affects 6.7% (Anxiety & Depression Association of America). The percentages may seem small, but 6.7% is about 17.3 million adults. Chances are, someone you know or are close to is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, if you yourself don’t.
So yes, the stats are scary and it can feel overwhelming to think about a mental health crisis in addition to COVID-19, cancer rates, heart diseases, etc. But if we don’t address it, that doesn’t mean it goes away.
Good Point. So what should I do?
Thought you’d never ask. If you yourself are experiencing overwhelming sadness, heart racing anxiety, or thoughts of suicide, then please seek out a mental health professional. I’m sure you’ve heard ads for Better Help or Talkspace on your favorite podcast, and PsychologyToday.com also has a directory where you can search for therapists in your area. Talking about the issues you’re experiencing with a trained professional is a critical first step in helping yourself. If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please refer to the following resources:
National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
The Trevor Project has 24/7/365 phone, text, and chat counselors. Click here to view their resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
If you’re aren’t experiencing mental health issues but want to be an #ally, (we love to see an ally!) educating yourself on the issue, practicing good ‘hygeine’ around your own mental health, and checking in with friends who you know are struggling are all great steps to take. If you want to #giveback even more, you can volunteer with organizations such as the Trevor Project and provide assistance to others.
In short, it’s also important to normalize the conversation (hence this blog post). If the topic of mental health is taboo, people (especially youth) may not feel comfortable talking to their family or friends about the issue. When people feel they have nowhere else to turn, that’s when issues like suicide become very real, very quick.
Got it. Anything else I should know?
While this post has mostly focused on the more traditional diagnosis of mental health issues, it should be noted there are new phenomenons popping up as well:
For one, burn out is affecting women at alarming rates across the nation, especially those juggling young children, careers, and aging parents. It’s that feeling of complete exhaustion, when not even 12 hours of sleep can help you. #beenthere
Feeling the ‘Sunday Scaries’ is a very real phenomenon many of us are feeling even more with the world opening up. It happens the day before your work week (Sunday for many people) when the anxiety of the week starts to catch up with you. You dread Monday morning, and it sucks all the fun out of your Sunday. #ugh
And of course, pandemic grief. Whether you’ve lost a family member, are dealing with the long term side effects of COVID-19, or are mourning the loss of your perfect wedding/baby shower/graduation etc., we all lost something in 2020 (if not multiple somethings) and that grief must be addressed. Hiding our emotions and pretending we are doing just fine isn’t helping anyone, certainly not ourselves. In fact, we’ll be holding a session at the 2021 #MILLSUMMIT about dealing with grief after the pandemic. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, especially since everyone’s dealing with it.
Our goals for this week? Carve out time for rest, check in with friends who may be struggling, and journal our feelings. While that may seem super lame or something you don’t have time for, we’re here to remind you just how important it is to keep your mental health healthy, just like you brush your teeth twice a day (we hope) and eat salads (even if it tastes like rabbit food).
Mental Health Awareness month may end on May 31, but we’re here to high five your mental health awareness #allyearlong.