May is a time to raise awareness about mental health conditions, and shift the conversation away from stigma towards normalizing these experiences. Mental health is a part of our daily lives, and should take priority alongside our physical health.
Though 1 in 5 Americans are affected by mental illness.
Up to 90% of children and adults who receive mental health services are able to significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Knowing the warning signs can be the first step to getting help.
Common warning signs that might indicate a mental health issue include:
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than 2 weeks
- Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of one’s daily activities
- Trying seriously to harm or kill oneself, or making plans to do so
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Severe, out-of-control behavior that can hurt oneself or others
- Using drugs or alcohol repeatedly
- Drastic changes in one’s behavior, personality or sleeping habits
- Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still
(The National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI)
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