Every year, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We use this is our specific opportunity to raise awareness for people living with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis and reduce the stigma that surrounds the care they deserve to receive. One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness and 17% of youth. Due to the Pandemic the number of people experiencing depression and anxiety related symptoms have significantly increased, according to the CDC. Below SCMC dives into a few areas as resources for you and your mental health and also educating around the stigma surrounding mental health.
One in five people are affected by a mental health condition in our country it’s time for all of us to step up and change the conversation.
- Self Care
- Awareness of the need for mental health services for all ages and cultures is growing, yet the stigma around seeking services still remains. Therapy is often seen as a last resort when, in reality, it is just as valuable as regularly scheduled maintenance on your vehicle, for example, to assess for and prevent future breakdowns. It seems easier to value the health and function of our vehicle vs. our own personal mental health and well-being. Life (parenting, school, work, relationships) can leave us feeling like we are running on empty, and we all know it is difficult to carry on when we are feeling depleted. Therapy is a great way to gain perspective and support, foster personal growth, and work through various life stressors. Think of it as a personal tune-up. Trust us, your therapist is not trying to “shrink” your brain! They want to help you feel better and improve your quality of life—self-care matters. SCMC Behavioarl Medicine therapists are here to meet our communities diverse needs. Check this out> Netlix Headspace Meditation
- Seeing the Hurt
- You matter to SCMC. A major step is knowing and seeing the hurt, whether it’s you yourself who is hurting or a loved one. Acknowledging the hurt and having he conversation or finding the tools to then start learning about that hurt. SCMC has a team of counselors and therapists trained to see the hurt to talk you through the hurt and identify how to work through it. Hurt happens and it’s not always physical. Short YouTube video (disclaimer video can be a little graphic in nature.)
- Diversity & Mental Health
- We all have a brain. We all have mental health. We at SCMC support and encourage all our community members and patients to take care of thier mental health. Nearly 60% of adults with a mental illness didn’t receive mental health services in the previous year. Nearly 50% of youth aged 8-15 didn’t receive mental health services in the previous year. African American & Hispanic Americans used mental health services at about 1/2 the rate of whites in the past year and Asian Americans at about 1/3 the rate. You can use the resources on our SCMC Behavioral Medicine website page to learn more about mental health for all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
- Terminology
- Terminology you should know. Do you ever get lost in the sea of words surrounding your care? It’s easy to do. Let us help! Check out the links below that explain the difference between some of the words used to describe your care. Symptoms – Hallucinations – Diagnosis – Psychiatrist – Psychologist – Psychotherapy
And, that blah you might sometimes feel… this article can help define what Languishing is.
- Terminology you should know. Do you ever get lost in the sea of words surrounding your care? It’s easy to do. Let us help! Check out the links below that explain the difference between some of the words used to describe your care. Symptoms – Hallucinations – Diagnosis – Psychiatrist – Psychologist – Psychotherapy
At SCMC Behavioral Medicine, we can support you in the areas of recognizing mental health symptoms, helping with coping skills, and providing services to you and your loved ones. To request services please call (320) 589-7625.
You can also visit the SCMC Behavioral Medicine page for a variety of other resources. #StopTheStigma #wecare