by
Jason Ramdewar | Apr 30, 2023
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness each year. An estimated 53 million people in the United States live with a mental illness, about 21% of the adult population. Included in that is almost
6% of adults who experience serious mental illness—about 17% of youth ages 6 to 17 experience mental health issues.
May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experiences.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of
life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Your mental health can also affect your physical health. For example, depression can increase the risk of long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, chronic
conditions can increase the risk of mental illness.
Types of Mental Illness
People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, which can often coincide. Mental illnesses can occur over a short period or be episodic. This means that mental illness comes and goes with discrete beginnings and ends. Mental illness
can also be ongoing or long-lasting.
There are more than 200 types of mental illness. Some of the most common types of mental illnesses and disorders are as follows:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Dementia
- Dyslexia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
How common are Mental Illnesses?
Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.
- 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.
- 1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point, has had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
- 1 in 25 Americans lives with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
What causes Mental illness?
There is no single cause for mental illness. Several factors can contribute to the risk of mental illness, such as
- Early adverse life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse.
- Incidents related to other ongoing medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes.
- Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain.
- Use of alcohol or drugs.
- Having feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Look for these signs that you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition:
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Trouble concentrating
- Extreme feelings (including fear, guilt, sadness, or anger)
- Withdrawal from friends or activities
- Extreme mood changes
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Unexplained hostility or violence
- Inability to cope with stress or your feelings
- Delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations (such as hearing voices)
- Thinking about hurting yourself or others
Treatments
There is a variety of treatments available for various mental health conditions. They include counseling, prescription medicine, support groups, and other art or music therapy therapies.
Not every treatment works or is necessary for everyone. Some people benefit from a combination of treatments. Your doctor will help you find the treatment that is right for you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You have many treatment options available to you. Mental illness is nothing to be embarrassed by or ashamed of. On the contrary, awareness of mental health issues and learning the truth can help you and others. It
can even save lives.
Exercise and Mental Health
Exercise is not just about improving aerobic capacity and increasing muscle size. It also has excellent benefits for your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also relieves stress,
improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. No matter your age or fitness level, exercise is a powerful tool to help deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life.
Creek Fit offers a variety of exercise options, from Group Exercise classes to Personal Training. For more information, visit: https://www.coconutcreek.net/parks-and-recreation/creekfit
For more information on Mental Health, see: