For many years, there has been a stigma surrounding mental health talk. Although, in recent years, it has become more common to hear about mental health awareness, there is still that underlying stigma. Many don’t address their struggles, whether that be due to fear or feelings of weakness. Not addressing this important, life threatening issue can be detrimental to our society individually and as a whole. We, as a society, need to raise the threshold for mental health awareness and address these struggles head on.
What Is Mental Health?
When it comes to the definition of what mental health is, according to mentalhealth.gov, mental health encompasses a person’s “emotional, psychological, and social well-being”. There are many factors that contribute to an individual suffering with mental health struggles. These can include things like trauma, abuse, biological factors, family history, and genetics. Due to these struggles, a person’s mood, behaviors, and thinking could negatively be impacted. A normally happy-go-lucky, outgoing person who is having a rough patch with mental health could be perceived as being depressed, or angry. Mental health awareness is vital to understanding how and why a person could so drastically change with little to no warning.
Warning Signs a Person is Struggling
Raising awareness for mental health entails understanding how to identify when a friend or loved one could be struggling with their mental health.There are many ways that mental health struggles can manifest. With the individual’s mind, mood, and behaviors being affected, there are external and internal signs that can be seen and not seen by loved ones and friends. There is also the possibility that the person struggling may feel like this is their “normal” routine, going from upbeat, and positive, to struggling with something as simple as getting out of bed. Some early warning signs could include:
- Fighting with friends and family
- Over or under sleeping
- Eating too much or not enough
- Isolation
- Substance abuse
- Feeling hopeless and/or helpless
- Self harm
- Negative self talk
- Severe and extreme mood swings
- Emotional numbness
Whether all or some of these signs and symptoms manifest can vary based on each individual. However, while these feelings may feel extreme, and almost endless, there is help for the person struggling. Mental health awareness in recent years has allowed for help to become readily available for those who need and want it.
What Do I Do if I Find Myself Struggling?
With mental health becoming such a driving force in rising adolescent and adult suicide rates, addressing these problems as soon as possible is vital to healing and finding healthier coping mechanisms for “bad” days, weeks, or months can make all the difference. Mental health is not linear. One thing may not work for everyone who struggles. There are many different avenues and therapies a person could use to address their mental health struggles. Growing mental health awareness has allowed for research and discovery of different combinations that are proving to be effective to help the healing process.
When it comes to mental health, holistic and traditional approaches can both be beneficial.Things like yoga, or meditation can help to clear the mind and allow for positivity to flow in where negative thoughts and feelings once were. Seeking professional help when needed is also vital to positive changes in metal heal. Individual or group therapies can allow a person to open up, and talk about the feelings that are weighing them down. These feelings can be so heavy and cause a person to feel worthless. Getting them out and processing through them can be very beneficial for the person trying to heal.
Why Mental Health Awareness Is So Important
Mental health awareness helps to diminish the stigma behind it. It is not “taboo” to suffer from mental health, it is not something someone chooses to struggle with. Mental health awareness and understanding is important because those who struggle need for those around them to understand that. When loved ones understand, or try to, they can be patient, and supportive. Awareness brings the struggles to light, and allows for those who are having a hard time to openly and freely talk about it. When a person feels as though they are unable to be open and honest about the things they are struggling with, it can cause isolation. Isolation generally helps to nurture the feelings of being alone and feelings of not being loved or wanted. Mental health awareness can also provide for a safe, and healing place where feelings can be processed, and coping skills can be learned.
Mental Health Treatment In New Jersey
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, please do not hesitate to reach out. You are not alone. There is help, there is hope. Individualized care, built around your needs can be provided to you. All you have to do is reach out for help. Here, at The Healing Place in Cherry Hill, it is our mission to provide the care needed. Our team of professionals is knowledgeable in mental health, and can help you to come to the realization that there is hope and healing available to you. Reach out today, and begin your journey to healing!
