May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its creation in 1949, this awareness month has brought to the forefront important conversations about stigma, shame, and equitable access to mental health services.
Paige DiPiro
As reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2022, 57.8 million Americans overcome a mental health issue every day. The good news is that we can all participate in building supportive communities to help each other during times of mental health challenges.
Stigma around mental health is a significant issue that prevents many people from seeking help when they need it. Stigma arises when people view mental health conditions as a personal weakness or lack of willpower, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Unfortunately, delaying seeking help can delay diagnosis and treatment and worsen mental health conditions.
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The first step we can take to address stigma is to have open and honest conversations about mental health. Discussing your experiences, feelings and thoughts, and asking how others are doing, normalizes help-seeking behavior and helps people feel less alone in their mental health journey. Prejudice is perpetuated by silence. So this May, start a conversation with someone you know and don’t be afraid to ask them if they need help.
In addition to fighting stigma, we can educate ourselves and others about common warning signs of mental health issues. This knowledge can help people recognize when they or a loved one has a mental health problem and seek help immediately. It is important to recognize that mental health disorders are treatable and that with the right support, recovery and resilience are always possible.
Just as you wouldn’t put off going to the hospital if you had a broken bone, it’s a good idea to seek help as soon as you notice symptoms that are affecting your daily life. Early intervention can help avoid possible negative consequences from worsening signs and symptoms.
Lastly, take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health. We all become better helpers and healers when we take time for self-care. Whether it’s yoga, therapy, or spending time with friends, we can all take positive steps to nourish our minds and maintain good mental health. The Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition has created a calendar of mental health and wellness events happening this month in Charlottesville and surrounding counties. Check it out to find inspiration, support, or new adventures to become your best self.
If you would like to learn more about mental health issues and their impact, Region Ten is offering free community mental health awareness training. This will help you respond more forcefully when someone you know is struggling. http://regionten.org/events.
Check out the Community Mental Health & Wellness Coalition’s mental health awareness calendar for local events: https://bit.ly/MHAMCalendar2024.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue or crisis, please reach out to one of the following resources for help:
Region 10 Emergency Services: (434) 972-1800.
Regional crisis call center: (434) 230-9704.
Rock & Talk Virginia: lockandtalk.org/lock.
Suicide Prevention Awareness and Resource Council: sperchope.org.
Suicide and crisis lifelines: 988.
988 Lifeline Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
Trevor project text line: 678-678.
Veteran text line: 838-255.
Paige DiPiro is the Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition Coordinator for the Region 10 Community Services Committee.
