In this article, we delve into the significance of Mental Health Awareness Month and explore the question: Why is it important?
We are in the month of mental health awareness, and it is crucial to highlight how important it is for the development of every individual and for society.
Annually, millions of Americans confront the challenges of coping with a mental health condition. During May, buzzlushes joins the national movement to bring attention to this issue in Mental Health Awareness Month.
Many organizations fight against stigma, providing support, educating the public, and advocating for policies that support individuals with mental illnesses and their families.
Why is it important to understand mental health?
It may seem logical, but mental health is relevant to almost every aspect of life, influencing all our interactions with peers, loved ones, and even strangers.
Mental health is also related to our physical health, helping us maintain certain normal functions, our immune system, and energy levels, as well as affecting other aspects such as behavior, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Mental health can determine how we handle stress and cope with certain difficulties; however, neglecting it is a common occurrence in all societies.
Although mental health is not a new concept, it has only recently come to the forefront. As Samhsa.Gov defines it: mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how we feel, think, and act.
It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions, and when not managed properly, it can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse problems, and more.
Reasons to care for mental health
During Mental Health Awareness Month, we highlight countless reasons why one should consider caring for mental health regularly, which can help a person lead a fuller life in aspects such as productivity, promoting self-love, and relationships with oneself and others:
1. Emotional
If a person enjoys good mental health, they are likely in better conditions and more equipped to face some of the challenges life presents.
Change happens constantly and is impossible to prevent, so having stable mental health means being flexible and positively facing the situations that arise.
2. Creating Connections
One of the realities of mental health is the stigmas surrounding it. By understanding why mental health is important, we can better recognize signs and symptoms. Therefore, creating safe environments for these discussions is of utmost importance. Generating spaces that promote and normalize seeking therapy and educating society on these topics is imperative.
3. Healthy Relationships
Whether talking about a close friend, a family member, or an important person, how one feels can directly affect their relationship with them. Symptoms of anxiety and depression include irritability and hostility, which can strain personal or professional relationships.
4. Taking Care of Others
Talking about your mental health can help you better understand the needs of your loved ones. Positive mental health also helps us be more empathetic to external situations. Eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness is an important step.
5. Promoting a Strong Immune System
Believe it or not, our mental health can impact our bodies. Countless studies show that being in positive and pleasant environments can help us maintain a strong immune system.
6. Sleeping Well
Sleep is vital for our overall health; it is well known that lack of sleep is related to various chronic diseases, including depression.
Good mental health facilitates the habit of rest and improves sleep patterns.
7. Life Tools
Taking care of your mental health can help you overcome the difficulties experienced in everyday life. Given the correlation with emotional management, good mental health can mean that we are better equipped to handle negative emotions and take on some of life’s challenges.
8. Decision-Making
Mental health is directly connected to the ability to make good decisions.
We are assertive to the extent that we promote positive behavior; otherwise, in highly complicated and hostile environments, we are more prone to making negative decisions.
9. Mental Illness
Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing, but they are not mutually exclusive.
Although poor mental health does not define an illness, having poor mental health is associated with emotional disorders and psychosocial impairment, comparable to a depressive episode. The effects of poor mental health can be severe and prevalent, being more common than depression.
10. Substance Abuse Prevention
Poor mental health and addictions can be closely related to substance abuse problems. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol as a mechanism to cope with the symptoms of their illnesses.
That is why it is essential to be aware of mental health and be willing to openly discuss mental illnesses and seek support through mental health therapy and addiction treatment programs.
Overall, when it comes to well-being, it is vital to understand that mental health should be managed transparently and, above all, healthily.Activities such as exercise, meditation, diet, social activities, and seeking guidance from specialized professionals can help work on and improve mental health.
Throughout the month, we will share recommendations from expert professionals on mental health issues.
At buzzlushes.com, our goal is to raise awareness about mental illnesses, presenting solutions offered by our allies so that people understand the importance of prioritizing their mental health.
