May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.
May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience.
Nearly one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That includes any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders (including bipolar disorder) personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and schizophrenia.
Here are a few signs and symptoms that are associated with mental health disorders:
● Difficulties with sleep
● Low energy and motivation
● Sadness
● Nervousness
● Difficulties with concentration
● Questioning one’s abilities
● Feeling easily annoyed or irritable
● Difficulties with sleep
● Low energy and motivation
● Sadness
● Nervousness
● Difficulties with concentration
● Questioning one’s abilities
● Feeling easily annoyed or irritable
Techniques and strategies that can help improve one’s mental health:
● Remain hopeful. Find things to be grateful about.
● Start a gratitude journal, or keep notes in a gratitude jar.
● Eat healthy and exercise, maybe not the time to go on a strict diet or exercise regime, find a way to make small changes such as eating less of the “bad food” or going on walks.
● Focus on what you can do to stay prepared.
● Be fun and creative while at home (e.g. dance, listen to music, small house projects).
● Remain hopeful. Find things to be grateful about.
● Start a gratitude journal, or keep notes in a gratitude jar.
● Eat healthy and exercise, maybe not the time to go on a strict diet or exercise regime, find a way to make small changes such as eating less of the “bad food” or going on walks.
● Focus on what you can do to stay prepared.
● Be fun and creative while at home (e.g. dance, listen to music, small house projects).