Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health has become a problem that has not been fully resolved, both at the global and national levels, causing various negative impacts such as an increase in mental problems and mental disorders.
The lack of public awareness of mental health is certainly one of the factors hampering the handling of mental health. Of course, it’s very important for every single person to start increasing awareness about mental health. So, why is raising awareness on mental health important? Let’s find out these reasons through our post below!
Reasons Why Increasing Awareness About Mental Health Is Important
If we talk about whether it is important to raise awareness of mental health is important, of course it is very, very important. Well, mental health is not just about a conversation for people who are dealing with mental health disorders, but it also has an impact on social, physical, emotional and also cognitive well-being.
However, a lot of people do not receive the great treatment that they really need due to the stigma associated with mental health. Some do not even realize that the treatment for mental health is really available. When these people really suffer quietly, they may feel lonely and disenfranchised.
Reportedly, suicide is one of the top three causes of death in the United States every year. Well, it has been on the rise in recent years. Well, it is true for all economic classes, genders, ethnicities, though some groups are at a markedly higher risk.
It’s not doubt if every suicide is a tragedy. Well, death by suicide actually comes at a high cost. But, not only does it warrant financial losses, it’s more importantly, destroying for the survivors of the person who died.
Even though some mental health organizations never truly know how actions impact another person. However, if increasing awareness can really save a life, of course, that’s a really worthwhile endeavor.
In short, awareness of the importance of understanding mental health should be owned by the younger generation. However, mental health really has a very close relationship with nature, character and also how an individual will reach certain actions and actions.
Of course, if a person is mentally healthy, they can form social relationships, realize his potential and capacity, maintain productivity, have a balanced daily life, build a balanced relationship and undertake to be the best version of themselves.
That’s why increasing awareness about mental health is very important, since it will make it easier for people and the community to resolve a person’s mental health. In fact, having a generation who is mentally and physically healthy will be able to bring progress to the nation.
What Is the Role of Mental Health Awareness Month?
Regardless of whether someone personally suffers with a mental health issue, the Mental Health Awareness Month will really help people recognize the ways mental illness impacts their lives, highlights ways to advocate and educates people about available services.
Well, education and recognition are the important ways to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Mental Health Awareness Month definitely creates a space and time to start a conversation. Additionally, talking openly about mental health will be able to reduce the misconceptions and stigma. It can also encourage people who are suffering to seek help and find a support network.
So far, Mental Health Awareness Month will provide education about the reality of living with a mental health condition. Even if a person’s mental health is disturbed, it does not need to stop someone from having a fulfilling life. Of course, people can support and help someone dealing with a mental health issue when they are better educated on these conditions.
Last but not least, Mental Health Awareness Month also provides the chance for outreach, fundraising and awareness events. In turn, it will be able to help support research, fund treatment options and connect advocates to make a brighter and more promising future of mental health care.
You may be surprised by the prevalence of mental health conditions in adult occur in the United States, let’s see the data according to lifespan.org:
- 48 million have an anxiety disorder
- 21 million have major depression
- 9 million have post-traumatic stress disorder
- 7 million have bipolar disorder
- 3.5 million have borderline personality disorder
- 3 million have obsessive compulsive disorder
- 1.5 million have schizophrenia
Well, Mental Health Awareness Month really helps them with a condition, handle the stigma and get access to treatment and it further helps their family and friends better understand their condition and connect with support networks.
How to Increase Awareness about Mental Health?
The most powerful method of countering the shame many people struggling with those issues may feel is by increasing awareness for mental health conditions. Increasing awareness about mental health can be performed by every individual. Of course, there are a number of effective ways you can do to increase awareness about mental health, here they are:
1) Talk about mental health issue openly
People who are living with a mental health disorder are exceptionally challenging. Even though they do not reveal their illness, it’s highly recommended for you to ask them to talk openly about your own battles with mental health. A person who suffers a mental illness will get better at speaking out about their symptoms and emotions.
2) Teach yourself and others on the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness
In fact, a lot of people who struggle with mental illness reject asking for help, since they do not want to feel sorry for. Educating people about the symptoms, causes and treatments available for mental health disease like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia will better equip yourself and of course people around you to discuss those issues in a supportive manner.
Here are possible warning signs of developing mental illness:
- Mood changes
- Antisocial behavior
- Changes in sleep and eating patterns
- Constant sadness
3) Take and share a free mental health screening
You may try to take a mental health screening quiz and then share what you did. By doing so, it could encourage the people on your friends list to do the same. The more people take a mental health screening, the more people also gather the courage to do so.
Of course, there are still many other ways you can do to increase awareness about mental health. However, we only share the top three ways of increasing awareness about mental health.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
