Ideas for Observing Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, May has been designated Mental Health Awareness Month. This designation aims to bring attention to mental health issues and make it easier for people to seek treatment without stigma. It is also a time to celebrate recovery from mental health issues.

The term mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social aspects of a person’s well-being. Mental health issues can result in adverse effects that extend beyond the mental aspect, such as undesirable physical effects.

This page will provide some ideas to help you observe Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Get Social

Maintaining your social connections can positively impact your health and wellness. You can stay connected by spending time with others in any number of ways; phone a friend, attend an exercise class together, or meet at a coffee shop for a chat. There are so many healthy ways to socialize!

Practice Mindfulness

Much like mental health, mindfulness is an umbrella term for a number of activities that support your mental health and wellness. Examples of ways to practice mindfulness include:

• Mindful breathing.
• Meditation.
• Yoga.
• Practicing a body scan.
• Starting a gratitude journal.
• Taking a walk in nature.
• Gardening.

Reach Out to Your Loved Ones

Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to check in on your loved ones. Take a minute to call, text, or send an email to ask how your loved one is doing. Small acts of compassion can make a tremendous impact.

Take Inventory of Your Mental Health

We often think we know ourselves well, but it can be eye-opening to take a mental health assessment. Taking inventory to better understand the health of your mental state can have surprising results.

It is common for health insurance companies to encourage policyholders to take online assessments. This can support a person by helping them decide whether an appointment with a mental health professional could be of benefit to them. 

Free online mental health assessments are also available to anyone, regardless of having health insurance. It might only take a few minutes to get a better idea of where your mental health lies.

Find a Therapist and Schedule an Appointment

Therapy isn’t just for challenging times; attending therapy can benefit a person at any time. Thankfully, many people openly discuss attending therapy, helping make therapy better recognized as a healthy practice and means of taking care of yourself. 

Virtual healthcare has made attending a therapy session easier than ever before. Therapy sessions can take place at a time and location that is convenient to you. 

Additionally, various apps connect people to therapists, making it easier to find a practitioner that fits your needs.

Seek Help

One of the most important things to know is that help is available and you are not alone. If you or someone you care about experiences a mental health crisis or needs support, resources are available:

• For immediate help in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline connects people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress with free and confidential emotional support. It is staffed 24/7. 
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, 24/7, confidential, information service that can help you get referred to a local treatment center for mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• FindTreatment.gov lets you search for providers that treat mental health issues or substance use disorders. 

At Recovery First Treatment Center, a drug and alcohol rehab near Miami, we offer co-occurring disorder treatment that addresses mental health issues as well as substance use issues. 

For many people, these illnesses are related and each one impacts the other. To learn more about how we treat mental health disorders and addiction, call now.

Our caring admissions navigators can answer your questions and help you start the admissions process. Please don’t wait to get the help you deserve.