May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May 1st kicks off the start of National Mental Health Awareness Month. As some may know, Mental Health Awareness Month started in 1949 by the Mental Health America organization and is observed each year to increase mental health awareness (1).
While conversations about mental health are becoming more commonplace, it is vital for every individual to have a basic understanding of what mental health is. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing states “mental health describes the health of a person’s mind and their thoughts, feelings, and actions” (2). Similarly, the World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community” (3). Mental health and wellbeing exist on a continuum and can change over time. Fluctuations in mood can occur when “demands placed on a person exceed their resources and/or coping abilities (4). For example, if a person is working long hours, caring for a loved one, or experiencing economic hardship they may temporarily experience poor mental health” (4). However, it is important to recognize there is a difference between mental health and mental illness.
The National Council states, “mental illnesses are diagnosable health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, behavior, or a combination of these (4). Mental illness is associated with “distress or problems functioning in social settings, at work, or during activities" (4). The various types of diagnosable mental illnesses are called mental health disorders and are more common than you think.
Check in on your own mental health this week.
Sources:
1. https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month
2. Mental Health First Aid USA (pg. 20-21). 2020. Mental Health First Aid for Adults assisting Adults. Washington, DC: National Council for Behavioral Health. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response