National Mental Health Awareness Month

President Obama declared May as National Mental Health Awareness Month in 2013. This year stronger efforts are being made to gain public recognition and understanding of mental illness.

“Despite great strides in our understanding of mental illness and vast improvements in the dialogue surrounding it, too many still suffer in silence,” a White House press release stated.

“Tens of millions of Americans face mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or post-traumatic stress disorder.” The presidential proclamation continued, “During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to building our understanding of mental illness, increasing access to treatment, and ensuring those who are struggling to know they are not alone.”

Mental health is a part of the body’s behavior that the American society has a difficulty understanding or fully accepting as a undoubtedly real and especially frightening illness that involves the brain.

Organizations such as Mental Health America (MHA) invite the public to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with them in order to spread knowledge about the importance of mental health to overall health and wellness; inform people about the mind and body and how they interact with each other; and provide tips and tools for taking positive actions to protect mental health and promote whole health.

This year, Mental Health America’s theme for Mental Health awareness month is called “Mind Your Health” according to the group’s website. The theme is targeted at mainly individuals who want to improve their own health or spread the news of MHA’s health tips and tools to others through social media, blogging or by participating as a member of MHA or giving a donation to the cause.

One way a person can improve their mental health is through the types of food he or she eats stated MHA. On their page, Healthy Diet: Eating with Mental Health in Mind, the group used the expression “you are what you eat” to explain that the kinds of foods and drinks you consume determine the types of nutrients in your body and how well your mind and body are capable of functioning.

MHA suggested staying away from sugary or heavily caffeinated drinks as the can caused dehydration and mood changes. Drinking at least eight, 8-ounce, glasses of water a day prevents dehydration. The organization also urges people not to skip breakfast as it provides needed fuel for your body after sleeping all night and jumpstarts your metabolism to energize you throughout the day.

Another mental health group is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) which is celebrating its 12th year of NAMIWalks, the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in the country. The goal of the walks that take place in a number of cities across the nation, is to display support for people affected by mental illness, to change how Americans view people with mental illnesses and to raise money for treatment of mental illness. You can find walks near you on NAMIWalks.org.

Obama’s White House press release said, “We too often think about mental health differently from other forms of health. Yet like any disease, mental illnesses can be treated -- and without help, they can grow worse. That is why we must build an open dialogue that encourages support and respect for those struggling with mental illness.”

For more information about mental health or mental illness visit MentalHealth.gov, NAMI.org or MentalHealthAmerica.net.

Those seeking immediate help for a family member, friend or himself/herself please call: 1-800-662-HELP or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.

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