Mental Health Awareness Month
Well, however odd a phrase as it may be, happy Mental Health Awareness Month, everyone! In this world of absolute insanity, this seems like an acutely appropriate cause. It’s hard for me to understand why our global community still attaches such a negative stigma to mental health issues.
But since 1949, Mental Health America has led the observance Mental Health Month in May. They believe it’s important to educate people about habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or could be signs of mental health problems themselves. People experience symptoms of mental illnesses differently—and some engage in potentially dangerous or risky behaviors to avoid or cover up symptoms of a potential mental health problem. Sometimes people—especially young people—struggling with mental health concerns develop habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or that could be signs of mental health problems themselves. When we engage in prevention and early identification, we can help reduce the burden of mental illness by identifying symptoms and warning signs early—and provide effective treatment.
How do we reconcile the importance of mental health awareness with the stigmas attached to its challenges? Well, in my opinion, is through education, earnest sentiment, and even a good bit of laughter.
- Therapy – it works. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Here are 11 perfect tweets about it sourced by Huffington Post.
- Buzzfeed also has some tweets — also very funny!
- Laughter actually is the best medicine. Read why here.
- Are you ready for the best comic strip about depression? Read Hyperbole and a Half’s “Adventures in Depression.”
- Many years ago, blogger Heather Armstrong wrote a piece about depression I found particularly moving.
- Also from Buzzfeed — a handy translation guide of sorts. What you say and what you mean.
- Kevin Breel is important. He’s a stand-up comedian and he needs to talk to you about depression. I will leave you with his words:
