May is Women’s Health Month, including National Women’s Health Week from May 8 – 14, 2022. This celebration of women’s health starts on Mother’s Day and aims to encourage women and girls to make their health a priority. Women’s Health Month is important because many caregivers are women. This calling to provide care and support means that women often sacrifice their own health while caring for the health of others.
Women’s health covers all facets of health, not just physical health. If you are struggling with your mental health, finding a mental health treatment center that can offer you the support you need could help you begin your journey to healing. Atlanta Center for Mental Health provides a wide variety of mental health therapies so you can be well in both mind and body. Support Women’s Health Month by educating yourself with this article, and call us at 833.625.0458 if you or someone you love needs immediate help.
Why Is Women’s Health Month Important?
Despite women primarily taking on the role of caregivers, society often minimizes or ignores women’s health issues. Doctors may pass women with valid complaints and concerns off as overdramatic or exaggerating. Women’s Health Month is important so that women can be equipped with the knowledge to advocate for their own health effectively. This observation aims to validate women’s issues and bring awareness to the unique female health concerns they face.
5 Ways to Support Women’s Health Month
1. Share Your Story
Women’s health issues don’t get enough attention, so women are reluctant to speak up about their health struggles. You can be a force for positive change by sharing your story if you experience health conditions such as cervical cancer or osteoporosis. These conditions are specific to women or affect women more than men, so it’s critical to support those who suffer from these ailments. There are many options to help educate women about these issues, including sharing videos on YouTube or posting your story on your blog.
2. Get Active
Physical activity is a significant component of your overall health and wellbeing. The leading cause of death among women is heart disease. A good exercise regimen can reduce the risk, and regular check-ups can catch the condition in the early stages. Physical activity is also helpful in supporting women’s mental health. More active individuals tend to be more resilient against stress.
People who exercise tend to have increased confidence, empathy, and leadership skills. These traits can positively affect the people around you, as it inspires others to start their journey toward health in the same way.
3. Get a Check-Up
There’s a lot of pressure in our fast-paced society to push through pain and illness and keep working. To support women’s health, you can go to the doctor and get a check-up, even if you’re feeling fine. It’s important to normalize health as a priority, and that happens when people see that others are taking good care of their health. This priority is essential for women, as many conditions such as menopause and osteoporosis require long-term management.
4. Check on Your Female Friends
In the past couple of years, isolation and lack of social connections have become significant issues, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic causing lockdowns. Individuals who feel overwhelmed may not know that other people are willing to help. It’s best to be proactive and check in with your loved ones, as they may be suffering in silence. Even allowing them to vent their feelings to you may already do them a world of good.
5. Know the Warning Signs of Mental Health Issues
During Women’s Health Month, it’s crucial to spot mental health issues in yourself and maybe even in others. Supporting women’s mental health this way may be difficult, but recognizing that there is a problem is the first step toward healing. Some of the symptoms include:
- Sleeping or eating problems
- Quitting work, activities, or hobbies you once enjoyed
- Persistent negative thoughts
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Unexplained body pains
- Inability to handle emotional swings
- Thinking of self-harm or currently self-harming
If these symptoms negatively affect your life or someone else’s life, it may be time to seek mental health therapy.
Seek Mental Health Therapy at Atlanta Center for Mental Health
There is a lot you can do on your own to maintain your mental health, but sometimes mental health professionals can help you along the way. Living with an untreated mental health condition is emotionally draining, and it also affects your physical health and relationships. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition, you can call the Atlanta Center for Mental Health today at 833.625.0458. Our admissions team is ready to help get you started on your mental health and wellness journey.
