May is Mental Health Awareness Month and every year the goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness within a given year and 1 in 25 adults will experience a serious mental illness that impacts and limits one or more major life activities.
Everyone faces challenges in their life that can impact their mental health.
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.
Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or income.
Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness or lack of character.
Mental illnesses are treatable.
While many people manage their mental illness, many still are not accessing treatment.
The stigma and the negative perceptions associated with mental illness are barriers for many individuals and families.
How can you reduce the stigma?
Educate yourself about mental illness/health
Be aware of your attitudes and behavior
Choose your words carefully. The way we speak can affect the attitudes of others.
Educate others. Pass on facts and positive attitudes; challenge myths and stereotypes.
Focus on the positive. Mental illness/health is only part of someone’s story.
Support people. Treat everyone with dignity and respect; offer support and encouragement.
Each year, millions face the reality of living with a mental illness.
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic increase, so do levels of stress and anxiety.
It is critical to those struggling with mental illness to know they are not alone, and there is help available to them.
Below is a list of resources and information for mental wellness.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
Creating Healthy Routines (NAMI)
Eliminating Toxic Influences (NAMI)
Georgia Access and Crisis Line (GCAL)
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), Crisis Resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-SUICIDE or 273-TALK
United Way Community Partners, Carter Hope Center, Cross Plains Community Partner, Family Support Council, Murray County Developmental Center, NW GA Family Crisis Center, The GreenHouse, and RossWoods Adult Day Services specialize in mental health services.
To see a full list of our Community Partners, click here.
United Way of Northwest Georgia encourages the Northwest Georgia community to join us in this critical effort so we can help those in our community who are struggling.
Together, we are fighting the stigma, providing support, and advocating for those battling mental illness.
Additional Resources Mentioned:
https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/addressing-stigma
https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month