MAY 2021by Lyle Williams, LMFT on May 17th
Mental Health Awareness Month The Month of May was designated as Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949 by a non-profit organization called Mental Health America. Since then, this month has been recognized as a time to NORMALIZE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and SHARE RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT MENTAL WELL-BEING. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (“NIMH”), an estimated 51.5 million people in the U.S. live with a mental illness, which is about 20% of the adult population. Out of the adult population, 5% experience serious mental illness. Additionally, 17% of the youth, ages 6 to 17 years old, struggle with mental health issues (NIMH, May 2021, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness). If you didn’t know, now you know. If you are interested in engaging in some mental health awareness activities, please check out the #MentalHealth4All event calendar on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website (https://afsp.org/mentalhealth4all?gclid=CjwKCAjwqIiFBhAHEiwANg9szswpobiVCNlcPNFBG_Xv98lOTwG7dCCOySmcK-ulygoxG8_IkjC7GRoCYGcQAvD_BwE#-mentalhealth4all-social-graphics). Resources to share Life is hard at times. It can be difficult to know if we are struggling with “normal” life challenges or a mental health problem. Here are some resources that you can use to discreetly find out if you are dealing with a mental health problem (for free).
In the event that you or someone you know is actually experiencing a mental health concern, I have included a list of resources below for you to reference. Please share this information as you engage with others and do your part to NORMALIZE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH this month.
Women’s Health Week Last week was Women’s Health Week. Ladies, please check out the Office of Women’s Health page to review some good reminders about ways to maintain your health (https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/about). This year’s Women’s Health Week, for obvious reasons, has an emphasis on protecting yourself from COVID-19. Men, here is an article that provides information to you about common women’s health issues (https://www.webmd.com/men/features/what-men-need-to-know-about-womens-health). Being aware of women’s health issues is essential for men who are interested in being loving leaders in their relationships with women. **** I know this was a longer than average newsletter, but I wanted to include as many resources as I could, so that you are empowered with knowledge about mental health resources. As a bonus, I have also included a mental health toolkit in the newsletter email as an attachment. Be sure to check that out too. Stay healthy and be blessed.
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