By Dr. Kristy Riniker; Optum New Mexico
As we continue to navigate through a variety of highly stressful global events, many people struggle with mental health challenges such as increased anxiety and depression.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40% of U.S. adults reported they were struggling with mental health issues or substance use as of 2020. These abnormally high numbers have disproportionately affected younger adults, racial and ethnic minority groups, and unpaid adult caregivers.
In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S adults experiences mental illness and nearly one in 20 adults live with a serious mental illness. However, only 47.2% percent of adults with a mental illness received mental health treatment as of 2021.
Recently, there has been a reported increase in poor mental health among adolescents, which can impact many areas of a teen’s life and increase stress on families. The CDC reports that in 2021, more than 40% of students felt persistently sad or hopeless. In 2023, both female students and LGBTQ+ students experienced more signs of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their male and cisgender and heterosexual peers. Making sure teens feel connected to school and family is very important in helping them grow into healthy adults.
Since May is recognized as Mental Health Month, it provides an opportunity to educate yourself and others on mental health conditions and treatment options. Some important messages to remember this Mental Health Month are:
- You’re not alone. Millions of people in the U.S are affected by mental illness each year. By acknowledging how common mental illness is, we can better understand its impact and reduce the stigma.
- Make time for self-care.Don’t let stress disturb your healthy routines. Make sure to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Many people find relief in practices like meditation and yoga.
- Seek support from trusted friends or family. Many people can isolate themselves when they’re stressed or worried, but social support is important. So, make the effort to reach out to those close to you.
- Control what you can.Focus your attention on the things that are within your control, even if it’s something as simple as meal planning or laying out your clothes the night before a potentially stressful day. Establishing routines will give your days and weeks some comforting structure.
- Educate yourself by talking to your doctor or using online resources. The more you know, the more you can dispel misinformation or myths that can increase the stigma around mental illness and hold people back from receiving the treatment they need.
- Mental health is just as important as physical health. If your child is angry, worried, or sad, he or she shouldn’t be afraid to talk about their feelings and to reach out to a trusted friend or adult. Parents should talk to their child’s health care provider or a teacher if they have concerns about how their child behaves at home, in school, or with friends.
- If someone you know needs help, listening to them in a comfortable and non-judgmental way can be a good place to start. It’s important to genuinely express your concern and avoid blaming, criticizing, minimizing or assuming things about their experience.
People may need mental health support for a variety of reasons, including getting help during a stressful time or dealing with a life-long struggle with depression or another serious mental health condition. Even if you’re just curious about symptoms of anxiety or depression, Mental Health Month is a good time to have such discussions and do your part to break the stigma.
Optum disclaimer: If you or someone you know have thoughts about suicide, seek help right away. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. To talk with a trained counselor, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
