Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is one of the most important parts of a healthy and happy lifestyle. With good mental health, we can overcome obstacles, realize our true potential, and make the most of the people and places in front of us. Celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949, May brings together activists, practitioners and mental health advocates across the country to spread the word about the importance of mental health.

According to Mental Health America, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month 2023 is “Look Around, Look Within.” This year, mental health professionals aim to spread awareness of how our environment affects our mental health: safe housing, healthy home life, neighborhoods and cities, and nature. is.

Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than just spreading awareness. With events, activities and screenings, Mental Health Awareness Month encourages many to seek help and support from friends and loved ones who may be struggling with a mental illness or substance use disorder (SUD). It will give you an opportunity to apply.

Importance of mental health

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five Americans has a mental illness. Mental health can affect every aspect of our lives, from how we think and feel to how we relate to others. Therefore, maintaining mental health and treating mental health conditions is essential to control and support healthy behaviors, emotions and thoughts.

Our mental health can change over time, so mental health is important at every stage of life. It is a common misconception that mental health conditions primarily affect young people, or that young people who suffer from mental illness simply “grow up and get out of the disease.” Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. Experiencing demands beyond your own resources, such as traumatic events or financial hardships, can have a serious impact on your mental health.

Sadly, many people struggling with mental health turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the immense stress, trauma, or pain they are experiencing. The link between mental illness and substance abuse is profound and can lead to exacerbation of mental illness, addiction and, sadly, death. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and is dependent on substances, Contact Your Care Provider to ask for help today.

The relationship between mental health and substance abuse

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 50% of people suffering from mental illness suffer from substance abuse, also known as double diagnosis. Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety and substance use disorders are both treatable mental disorders that affect a person’s brain and behavior. A person with SUD may have other mental health disorders and vice versa, but that doesn’t mean one caused the other.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, research suggests three possibilities that may explain why mental illness and substance abuse often coexist.

brain changes

It is well known that substance abuse and SUDs can cause changes in the brain. Compounds in many substances can change their chemistry and even alter the physical structure of the brain, which can lead to behavioral changes and the development of mental illness.

Mental illness can contribute to addiction

Sadly, many people who suffer from mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) turn to drugs and alcohol for self-medication. While these substances may have immediate and temporary effects on negative symptoms, they can actually exacerbate symptoms over time. This can create a vicious cycle in which substance abuse is used to numb or deal with negative emotions, resulting in increased symptoms and substance abuse. In addition, brain changes induced by substance abuse may increase feelings of reward for drugs, predisposing them to substance abuse.

Common risk factors

Perhaps the most likely explanation for why SUD and mental illness co-occur so frequently is that they share similar risk factors. First, both SUDs and psychiatric disorders can run in families, meaning that genetics may play a role in the development of either. Environmental factors such as trauma and stress can also lead to the development of these mental health disorders.

recognize mental illness

According to Mental Health America, there are over 200 classified mental illnesses. Mental health conditions come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own symptoms, causes, and warning signs. Symptoms range from more common and manageable conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, to more serious conditions that may require hospitalization, such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder.

That said, the three mental health conditions that make up the majority of mental health diagnoses in the United States are anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Each condition is detailed below, along with commonly reported symptoms and warning signs.

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anxiety

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions characterized by underlying feelings of extreme fear and worry. The most common anxiety disorders in this group include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and anxiety disorders based on other phobias such as agoraphobia.

Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in this country. More than 8.4% of all U.S. adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in the previous year, according to data collected in the 2020 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Depression can be triggered by a variety of events, but the most common include tragic events such as loss of loved ones, financial hardships, and medical stress such as cancer or other chronic illnesses. .

It is important to remember that everyone experiences bouts of depression and sadness in life. Such ups and downs can be the result of difficulties such as relationship difficulties or unemployment, and are perfectly normal reactions to stressful events. However, when depression becomes a mental illness, it may last for weeks, months, or even years. When this happens, it interferes with a person’s entire life, including their ability to work and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Common symptoms of depression include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. People who experience PTSD are veterans, first responders, victims of domestic violence, and others who are likely to experience this type of event often. Most people who have experienced trauma can overcome feelings of anxiety and depression, but some cannot and these feelings do not go away. For these people, PTSD can last for months or years.

Common symptoms of PTSD are:

Take control of your mental health now

Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to think about the importance of mental health and assess how your surroundings can affect your mental health. This year’s theme, Look Around, Look Within, reminds us that our mental health is more than what we think. Mental illness can be influenced by everything from neighbors to genetics. Take time this May to consider how the people, places, and things around you play a role in your mental health.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, substance abuse, or both, now is the time to seek help. Without proper care for a double-diagnosis condition, symptoms can get worse and affect quality of life. If you want to know more about what treatments are available for you or someone you love, Contact Your Care Provider Now.