May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month takes place for one month each year, during the entire month of May. This month is dedicated to spreading awareness for various mental health issues and helping those with mental health disorders feel supported in their community.

History of Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month was implemented in 1949 to help spread awareness of the severity of mental health disorders and help others understand the effects. This same year, the National Institute of Mental Health was established. This organization has worked to provide mental health services to those in need and consistently works to spread awareness of these issues.This National Institute of Mental Health also works to improve research on mental health issues so we can find proper care for all mental health disorders. 

The field of psychology is relatively new. This means that there is still a drastic amount of research needing to be completed. The implementation of this organization has prompted the discovery of many things to help individuals with mental health disorders and is continuing its research to discover more successful methods. 

May of 2022

Mental Health Awareness Month has been celebrated and acknowledged for years, and it is approaching again. Each year has a theme implemented to help encourage involvement and bring new perspectives on mental health awareness. The theme of this year’s awareness month is “Together for Mental Health.” This theme is focused on joining together as a community to help spread awareness of mental health issues, as they are continuing to increase and affect the lives of many individuals across the world.

After the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drastic world changes that have occurred in the last two years, mental health disorders have been on the rise. There are many aspects of our daily lives that play a significant role in mental health and can cause people to feel lost and alone. Spreading awareness and coming together as a community during this time to support the mental health of everyone is essential.

Get Involved

There are many ways you can get involved during May to help spread awareness on this issue and be a support to your community. One of the most significant ways to make an impact is to communicate about your experiences with mental health disorders, either from yourself or a loved one. If you do not know of anyone personally struggling with a mental health disorder, listening to the struggles of other community members and supporting them during this time can help make a difference.

Sharing your story can be difficult but can help spread awareness of the issues within our current mental health services. For example, many individuals struggle to receive help because their insurance companies deny payment of the resources they need. Working to spread awareness on this issue can help yourself or others get the help they need. 

Other ways to spread awareness and become involved with Mental Health Awareness Month include:

• Look into the 998 implementation act–this act would work to implement crisis call centers and local crisis teams in communities

• Share your story

• Advocate for funding of mental health research

• Advocate increasing available mental health professionals

• Understand how to help someone in a crisis

• Spread information to schools

• Sign the

  petition

  to address the mental health crisis

Understand the Importance

If you are not able to participate in any mental health awareness events or feel you are not able to help as much as you desire, understanding the effects of mental health disorders can still make a huge difference. Learning about the variety of mental health disorders and the impact they have on an individual can help you empathize with them. Many people suffering from these disorders feel alone and struggle to relate to others. Letting them know that you understand and support them can mean the world to these people.

It is also imperative to understand how to help those with mental health disorders. This may vary with different people. If someone close to you is struggling with mental health, lead them to the proper resources to get help and be a kind and supportive individual. One of the most influential things is reminding them that they are not alone. Be there as extra support when needed and help spread your positivity throughout your community. 

You never know when someone is struggling with a mental health disorder. Setting a goal to be nice to people, in general, can help ensure you are a positive influence on those with mental health disorders. Even a simple positive interaction with a stranger could help someone ground themselves. 

Mental Health Awareness Month has been celebrated since 1949. During the month of May each year, communities come together to spread awareness and support individuals struggling with mental health disorders. Spreading awareness on this issue is essential to help everyone understand the need for mental health support and to help community members learn how to seek help. Being aware of the resources available to yourself and others could potentially save a life. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health disorder, SokyaHealth is here to help. We provide medication services, therapy, coaching, and more. At SokyaHealth, we are revolutionizing therapy with a focus on mind, body, and spirit. We provide holistic mental health and wellness services through telehealth, making our services accessible to everyone. To learn more about our services, reach out to SokyaHealth today at (877) 840-6956.