Mental health. October is Mental Health Awareness Month. Physical health is something we talk about all the time. Eat your veggies, get some sunshine, drink more water. But for decades, we have been quiet about our mental health. Fortunately, that is now changing, and we are encouraging each other to be open about our emotional well-being.
Many communities are taking on campaigns to support the mental health youth, elders and in the workplace. Through call centers like 988, text lines, and local care campaigns, I hope that we can reach anyone who feels like they need a service. Mental health does not mean you are crazy. It means you might need some guidance and/or medication to support your brain through a period of time. If my arm were bleeding, folks would rush in to help, provide a pressure bandage, or a tourniquet. They might call 911 for a higher level of care. The same should be commonplace for a brain condition. It’s something that you cannot see, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Here are a few signs and symptoms to help you recognize a mental health matter:
- Persistent sadness or depression – not just an off day, but frequent periods of sadness or depression without an apparent reason.
- Appetite changes – eating too much or too little.
- Unusual sleep patterns – either sleeping all day or not at all. Or maybe just a disruption to the regular sleep schedule.
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Mood changes.
The hard part is that it looks different for all of us. A broken arm is a broken arm, and we can see that on the X-ray. Mental health is not like that. We should not assume that anyone can just “get over it”. Trained professionals should be utilized to make diagnoses and treatment plans. We can all play a part in supporting one another to create a healthy mental health lifestyle. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, call or text 988 for immediate help, no matter where you live. In seconds, you’ll have a lifeline to support you through the crisis. Don’t hesitate, call.
