By: Moayad Ismail, MDMENTAL

Southwest Medical, part of Optum

 

As we continue to navigate through a variety of highly stressful global events in recent years, many are struggling with mental health challenges such as increased anxiety and depression. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during late June of 2020, 40 percent of U.S. adults reported they were struggling with mental health issues or substance use. These abnormally high numbers have disproportionately affected younger adults, racial and ethnic minority groups, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers.

In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness out of the 1 in 5 U.S adults experience mental illness and nearly 1 in 20 adults live with a serious mental illness. However, only 47.2% percent of adults with a mental illness received mental health treatment in 2021.

Additionally, young people in the U.S. are collectively experiencing a level of distress that calls for action to ensure they feel cared for and support. Data from the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows that teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer/questioning, as well as female students, are experiencing higher levels of stress, violence and substance use. That’s why it’s important for parents/caregivers to create opportunities for honest and open conversations about mental and emotional health so kids can share how they’re really doing and get connected to appropriate support if they need it.

Since May is recognized as Mental Health Month, it presents an opportunity to educate yourself and others on mental health conditions and treatment options. Although exploring mental health treatment options, which includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy), medication, or self-care, can be confusing or difficult, is an important part of mental health care.

Some important messages to remember this Mental Health Month are:

  1. You are not alone. Millions of people in the U.S are affected by mental illness each year. By acknowledging how common mental illness is, we can better understand its impact and reduce the stigma.
  2. Self-care such as eating well-balanced meals, staying physically active, and getting plenty of sleep are healthy ways to manage stress and increase your energy.
  3. It’s important to practice gratitude and focus on positivity, helping you to challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
  4. Connect with others by talking to people that you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling so they can provide practical help and emotional support.
  5. Talk to your child about mental health. Feeling connected to family and school can have a significant impact on their mental health, so communicating openly and honestly with your child provides them with a sense of connectedness.
  6. If someone you know needs help, listening to them in a comfortable and non-judgmental way can be a good place to start. It’s important to genuinely express your concern and avoid blaming, criticizing, minimizing or assuming things about their experience. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Optum Disclaimer: If you or someone you know have thoughts about suicide, seek help right away. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

To talk with a trained counselor, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Individuals may need mental health support for a variety of reasons including obtaining help during a stressful time or successfully dealing with a life-long struggle with depression or another serious mental health condition. Even if you are just curious about symptoms of anxiety or depression, Mental Health Month is a good time to have discussions about mental health and do your part to break the stigma.

 

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[1] Youth Mental Health: The Numbers | Adolescent and School Health | CDC

2 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results | Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) | CDC