Since 1949, the month of May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established in an effort to increase awareness of mental health and wellness and to celebrate the recovery from mental illness. According to the CDC, mental illnesses are among the most common health condition in the U.S. Over one in five adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness.
What is Mental Health?
Emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all components which make up ones mental health. These factors contribute to our thinking, feelings, and actions. It also helps to determine how we handle stress, relate to one another, and the decisions we make.
What Causes Mental Illness?
There is no one cause of mental illness. There are a number of factors which can contribute to the risk for mental illness which include but are not limited to:
- Childhood Trauma (such as abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence)
- Experiences related to chronic medical conditions such as traumatic brain injury, etc.
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
- Biological Factors
- Drug or alcohol use
Types of Mental Illness
People can experience different types of mental illness and they can occur at the same time. They can occur over a short period of time or be episodic. They can also be ongoing and long-lasting.
There are over 200 types of mental illnesses.
Treatment
Treatment for mental illness may vary depending on the type of illness. Becoming screened will be helpful in determining a treatment plan.
If you or a loved one is struggling with or in a crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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