Why is mental health important for overall health? According to the CDC, mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. Mental Health conditions, like depression, can increase risk related to chronic disease conditions, just as physical health conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, can impact one’s mental health. After the year of COVID-19 in 2020 and no real end in sight to the pandemic, gaining a greater understanding of the mental conditions that individuals are struggling with now has even more significance.
Why Mental Health Awareness Month?
Each year in May, our nation highlights activities to build mental health awareness. This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities. Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. That’s why this Mental Health Month, Georgetown Behavioral Health is highlighting #Tools2Thrive - what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency, and continue to cope with the life we are experiencing today. Throughout the pandemic, many people who had never experienced mental health challenges found themselves struggling for the first time. During the month of May, we are focusing on bringing information, such as mental health conditions and treatment options that are available at our hospital and highlighting facts that surround mental health in our communities.
Facts Matter: (Mental Health America Outreach Toolkit – 2021)
- Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
- While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the mental health of people of all ages, and now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that commonly prevents individuals from seeking help.
- There are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency, regardless of the situations they are dealing with.
- It’s important to accept the situations in life that we cannot change, actively work to process the mental struggles associated with big changes, manage anger and frustration, recognize when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenge negative thinking patterns, and make time to take care of yourself.
- Knowing when to turn to friends, family, and co-workers when you are struggling with life’s challenges can help improve your mental health.
- One way to check in with yourself is to take a mental health screen at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and private way for someone to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.
- Living a healthy lifestyle and incorporating mental health tools to thrive may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.
- Seeking professional help when self-help efforts to improve your mental health aren’t working is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- The Tools 2 Thrive that work best for one person may not work for another. Recovery is a unique and personal journey that requires trial and error to determine what works best for each individual.
How Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute can help
Enrolling in a treatment program is the first step towards moving towards a path of hope and healing. At Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute, we offer treatment options for those who struggle with mental health problems and substance use disorders. We offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment while treating children, adolescents and adults.
To get started, call a member of our team at (512) 819-1154 to help answer any question that you may have or to schedule a no-cost assessment. We are here for you 24/7, nights and weekends, and help is only a phone call away.