Why Mental Health Awareness is Important
A startling one in five adults struggle with a mental health condition each year, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD. Furthermore, one in 17 adults struggle with a persistent and severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, each year. While there is no magical cure for mental health conditions, there are many effective treatments that can help stabilize your mental health.
First, it is important to understand that having mental health problems is nothing to be ashamed about. We all deal with stress or sadness differently. Your mental health can be affected by your daily living conditions, your genetics, or even a little bit of both. Most mental health conditions begin around age 14, but some can lie dormant in our bodies until they are triggered. A trigger could be something as traumatic as death in the family, loss of a job or even moving to a new city. Nobody is “more” or “less” susceptible to dealing with mental health conditions.
There is no “one way” to live with a mental health condition or mental illness, and all of us experience our conditions differently. Luckily there is one way to work toward recovery and begin a path towards wellness, and that is with professional help.
Getting professional help from mental health services often feels like a sign of weakness, but it is actually a sign of strength. In fact, a residential mental health treatment program can turn your life around. Call us today at 833.625.0458 to find out more.
Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health
There is not one proven method of therapy to “cure” depression, which is why Atlanta Center for Mental Health utilizes a multidisciplinary approach. We treat the individual, not just the diagnosis. With group therapy, CBT, yoga, medication management and more, there is a greater chance of you finding a path to wellness that best suits your needs.
There are many ways to take care of your mental health. Some people may need medication, while others may just need to talk to someone. Here are some tips on how to take care of your mental health:
1. Talk to someone
This is the most important thing you can do for your mental health. Talking to a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else can help you work through your problems.
2. Exercise regularly
Exercise has been shown to improve mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
3. Eat healthy
Eating healthy foods helps your body function better overall, which includes your mental health.
4. Get enough sleep
Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep can help improve your mood and mental health.
5. Avoid alcohol and drugs
Alcohol and drugs can worsen mental health symptoms and make them harder to treat.
6. Seek professional help
If you are struggling with your mental health, it is best to seek professional help. A therapist can help you find the best treatment plan for you.
Mental health affects our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Remember that many factors contribute to mental health problems, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, and your family’s history.
Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems
What are warning signs you or someone you love is experiencing mental health problems that should be addressed by professionals immediately?
- Eating or sleeping in excess
- Not eating or sleeping
- Quitting a job, sports team, or other activity they once enjoyed
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless/hopeless
- Drinking or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling “all over the place” with emotions
- Becoming defensive when asked about behavior, starting arguments
- Having persistent negative thoughts
- Believing things that are not true
- Thinking of self-harming or currently self-harming.
- Wanting to harm others
Becoming unable to perform daily tasks such as taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, you are not alone and help is available. Living with an untreated mental health condition can be exhausting and debilitating. Deciding to enter residential treatment can help ease the burden you have been feeling, teach you new coping skills, and help you find recovery and a life beyond your mental health condition. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
Get Help With Mental Health Treatment
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Taking care of your mental health is essential to living a happy and healthy life. There are many ways to take care of your mental health, so find what works best for you and stick with it. Remember, it is okay to ask for help when you need it. You are not alone. Call us today at 833.625.0458 for help.
