It's Okay To Get Help

When people hear the words mental health or mental illness; most people cringe at the word. Why is that? Why do you think people other people think mental health is less important than other illnesses? Like other health problems, mental health illness can happen to anyone. (Holt, 2016, para.1) Your mental health is something that should be well looked after on your general well-being and state of mind. The good news is that mental illness can be treated. With the right diagnosis and medication, you can overcome your mental illness and keep your mental health in check. Your mental health can become an illness that; not only interrupts your personal life but you actually well being. This illness disrupts your mental state of mind and interrupts how you feel, think, behave, and communicate.

Did you know that mental illnesses affect 18% of the adult population in America? More than 46 million Americans are affected by mental health. As shown in the Infographics, "Substance abuse and mental health illnesses (have) common condition."(Boerger, Infographics 1) When all the facts are led out; I don't know about you, but those numbers seem high. Even though the general public discernment of mental illness has evolved over the past decades, studies have shown that the stigma against mental illness is still highly autocratic, largely due to media stereotypes and the lack of education. With that being said; people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions. Some people would rather take there chances on other diseases and disabilities at a faster rate; such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Going out in your community; such as going to the domestic violence homeless shelter or just by posting something online, such as Facebook can be so much awareness in your communities, which than mental health awareness would ineluctability be known GLOBALLY.

Mental illnesses are common and are often affected by almost every family around the world. These illnesses can come from every walk of life; these diseases don’t discriminate from any age, culture, background or ethnicity. If you are struggling with this illness; allow family and friends to provide helpful support. Getting help for your mental health is just as important as going to see the cardiologist for a good heart check-up. It is essential to ask or seek help if you speculate if someone is having a mental health crisis. #TimeToTalk

No one knows for sure why some people develop a mental illness and why others don't. According to (The Kim Foundation, 2020) it's likely caused by a combination of things such as:

- Family History (genetics)

- Brain Chemistry

- Traumatic (PTSD) or stressful events

- Drug abuse and alcohol abuse sometimes is associated with mental illness

- It's not contagious

It is exceptionally important to get help as soon as possible. The help of untreated mental illness for patients that are having serious issues in school or in the workplace. It would be best to consider seeking help; if you suspect someone or maybe yourself is having trouble with their mental health status. Some people may feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help, but it has been very beneficial But from my own personal experience, it has been very proficient. A person may not realize that he or she is experimenting with a mental illness and that the illness can be treated.

1. Changes in the way a person FEELS:

- Major Mood Swings

- Sadness that won't go away

- Feeling like life is not worth living

- Feeling Anger or lashing out at others (Holt, par. 6)

2. Changes in the way a person THINK:

- Seeing or hearing things that are not there

- Thinking About Suicide

- Having trouble thoughts or speech

- Believing fantasies that are not real to other people (Holt, par. 7)

3. Changes in the way a person ACTS:

- Changes in eating habits or sleeping habits

- Abusing drugs and alcohol

- Getting into trouble in school or work

- Avoiding family and friends

- Hard time dealing with daily tasks (Holt, par. 8)

It is exceptionally important to get help as soon as possible. The help of untreated mental illness for patients that are having serious issues in school or in the workplace. It would be best to consider seeking help; if you suspect someone or maybe yourself is having trouble with their mental health status. Some people may feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help, but it has been very beneficial But from my own personal experience, it has been very proficient. A person may not realize that he or she is experimenting with a mental illness and that the illness can be treated.

Common treatments used to help people with mental illness includes:

- Medication

- Talk or behavior therapy

- Group therapy

- Support Groups such as; family and friends

- Going to a rehab for treatment for substance use

Mental health treatment requires ongoing treatment; just because you feel better does not mean stop going to see your therapist or stop taking your medication. From my own experiences with mental illnesses getting better and stay mentally well with the different combinations of treatments is the key to mental health recovery. Everyone is different and it may take some time and experimenting to find the right combination of treatment.

As with any sickness or illness Love Ones, Supporters and Treatment Centers are the MAJOR KEYS TO RECOVERY!

Resource: Mental Illness: What Everyone Should Know [Brochure] Kristie Holt (2016)

Boerger, Emily. "New MHA report gives a poor outlook for mental health in the United States." https://aimymh.org Website 16 Nov. 2017, https://aimymh.org/2017/11/21/new-mha-report-gives-poor-outlook-mental-health-united-states/ Accessed 18, Aug. 2020

"What are The Causes Of Mental Health. The Kim Foundation. 2020. https://www.thekimfoundation.org/causes/ Accessed 18, Aug. 2020