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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, RADIAS Health joins the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. We are alongside NAMI to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families, and remove treatment barriers for people with mental illness

Per the CDC, mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. Everyone has mental health, and it deserves your attention just as much as your physical health does. Mental Health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

NAMI’s theme for awareness this year is “Together for Mental Health”. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. Let’s take time to focus on healing, reaching out, and connecting in safe ways by acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay.

Ways to observe Mental Health Awareness Month

  1. Take care of yourself: It’s an ideal time to prioritize and reflect on your own mental wellness. If you’re not doing ok, reach out for help. Finding the right provider can take some time. Don’t wait to get on the road to mental wellness.
  2. Start a conversation: It can feel strange of awkward to reach out to someone who may need your assistance. But friends and family members may not feel comfortable asking for help. A way to start a conversation is to simply ask your loved ones how they are doing.
  3. Donate or volunteer: There are many organizations that help promote mental health. Consider donating to one during this month. NAMI holds walks and fundraising events around the country. The organization also hosts a convention that gathers mental health advocates for sharing, learning, and networking.
  4. Share information: Find out if local organizations need help spreading the word about what they do. Many people use social media to raise awareness about mental health. You could share phone numbers or resources like those provided at the end of this article. You can be an audience for others who want to express themselves, read a book about psychological disorders, attend a webinar about addiction or mental wellness, and more. Educating yourself may help you start a conversation with someone who really needs it.
  5. Let someone know they are not alone: Many people with mental health disorders feel isolated. The more you talk about it, the more normalized it will become.

Throughout the month, RADIAS Health encourages people to bring their voices together to raise awareness about mental health. We believe that people who have mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring disorders can recover to lead healthy lives in the community.

#Together4MH #MentalHealthMonth #MHM

If you are feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, please reach out and connect with one of the resources below.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741741

Minnesota local mobile crisis response: Find the phone number for your county mobile crisis response team

National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736, operated by Parents Anonymous

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