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What is mental health?
Who is affected by mental illnesses and addiction? How can we as individuals play a role in addressing these issues? These are some of the questions that I want to address in this blog. Let us begin by talking a little bit about the month of May which also happens to also be Mental Health Awareness Month! The goal of this month is to raise awareness and battle the stigma that exists in our society regarding behavioral health issues, mental illnesses, and addiction. This notion has been observed in the United States since 1949.
This year, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has created the More than Enough Campaign. The core of this campaign lies in the idea that no matter what, each individual is “inherently worthy of more than enough life, love, and healing” and that “showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough.”
Some of us might be wondering what exactly is mental health. Is there a certain group of individuals that are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with mental illnesses or addiction? For starters, mental health is complex! According to SAMHSA, our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects the way we think, feel, and act. It also determines the choices we make, and how we handle stress and relate to others.
More than Enough
Mental health can affect all of us including patients, their families, doctors, and our communities/society at large. Some of the most prominent categories include Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, PTSD, and Schizophrenia among many others. There are also many different factors that can contribute to these mental health conditions. These include biological factors such as one’s genes. One’s experiences such as trauma or abuse can also play a role as well as any family history of mental health illnesses.
Taking care of your mental health can be challenging and can seem like a barrier at times. However, seeking treatment early and being consistent with a combination of medication and psychotherapy has shown to help manage these conditions. One can certainly continue to live a happy, productive, and meaningful life even after being diagnosed. Hospitals and primary care doctors play a large role through the integration of physical and behavioral health services. Hospitals can form partnerships with programs and organizations to ensure that there are services available for all those who need behavioral healthcare. This is a strategy that can truly improve the overall quality of care for patients.
In conclusion
Here, at 3d Psychotherapy, we believe in educating our clients and encouraging them to stick to their treatment plans, practice self-care, and develop healthy coping skills. We help our clients with setting realistic goals, prioritizing themselves, and nurturing their mind and body with positivity. It is vital that we take care of ourselves not just this month, but every single day of every month.
About the Author
Shifa Sohani graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Biology in 2021. She currently works as the Client Care Coordinator at 3d Psychotherapy located in Decatur, GA. Some of her roles include administrative processes, tracking client participation and capacity, as well as marketing and networking for the company. She enjoys writing as a hobby and loves working with clients during their mental health journeys.
Contact:
Email- ssohani@3dpsychotherapy.org
Office Phone- 404-600-4382