May is National Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as “Mental Health Month,” has been observed in the month of May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings.

For many years there have been such a great Stigma attached to this disorder. Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a circumstance, quality, or person, according to Merriam-Webster.

MERRIAM WEBSTER, INC:

Merriam-Webster, Inc., is an American company that publishes reference books and is especially known for its dictionaries. In 1828, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as G & C Merriam Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (46.6 million) experiences mental illness in a given year. Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. (11.2 million) experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS:

Severe mental illness is often defined by its length of duration and the disability it produces. These illnesses include disorders that produce psychotic symptoms, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and severe forms of other disorders, such as major depression and bipolar disorder. It’s hard for many to believe that one in 17 people live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In addition to a person’s directly experiencing a mental illness, family, friends and communities are also affected. Families of individuals with mental illness suffer along side their loved one and many times find it difficult to know how to deal with that individual. I can honestly tell anyone, it takes educating yourself, going to appointments, listening without judging, assuring they know how much they are loved, they are not alone, and the door is always open if they need to talk. it’s also important to remember that a person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors:  When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities.

If you or someone you know is suffering in silence with a mental illness, or believe you are; please reach out for help in your city and state.

#break the stigma