Three Ways To Honor Mental Illness Awareness Week
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
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- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
Mental illnesses can be common. Research indicates that, in the United States, more than one in five people may experience a mental health condition. Despite the prevalence of mental health struggles, the mental illness stigma tends to remain. Mental Illness Awareness Week, which happens every October 1 through October 7, can provide an opportunity to destigmatize mental illness and raise awareness for those living with mental health conditions. If you’re experiencing mental health challenges, consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your local area.
This article explores the history of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) and how you can honor it in your daily life. We’ll also highlight resources for those who’d like to reach out to a mental health professional to address any mental health conditions, concerns about stress, or general questions regarding mental health.
What is Mental Illness Awareness Week?
Mental Illness Awareness Week, held during the first week of October, is dedicated to increasing mental health awareness and understanding of mental health conditions. This week is part of a broader effort, including Mental Health Awareness Month in May and National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and supported by social media campaigns, this week encourages people to learn about mental health treatment options and the importance of seeking help. Resources are often disemminated, including hotlines to call or text for support, emphasizing that mental health treatment is available and vital for overall well-being.
The history of Mental Illness Awareness Week
Mental Illness Awareness Week was established in 1990 by Congress to bring attention to mental health and provide a time for mental health advocates to join together as one unified voice in support of those struggling with mental illnesses.
Since 1990, mental health advocates across the country have sponsored activities and events in support of mental health awareness. If you’re interested in celebrating Mental Illness Awareness Week, consider checking for events at local community centers, libraries, and other public organizations. You can also share NAMI’s Mental Health Awareness Week information on social media to advocate for people living with mental illnesses.
Common mental illnesses
Mental illnesses can affect people of any age and from any background. Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and trauma, may make it more likely for a person to experience a mental illness. Stressful life events like divorce, job loss, or financial problems may also contribute to the development of mental health challenges. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it can be important to know you’re not alone.
Below, we’ll cover a few of the most common mental illnesses.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety can be a common experience, and many of us experience anxiety symptoms before important events like interviews or presentations. For some people, however, anxiety dominates their lives, often preventing them from doing the things they enjoy and functioning in the way they would prefer.
In these cases, individuals may be living with anxiety disorders. Specific anxiety disorders can include phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and selective mutism. Research suggests that nearly 20% of people in the United States may live with an anxiety disorder.
Depression
Depression is a mental illness that can cause ongoing feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a loss of interest in things a person once enjoyed. Depression can occur due to a particular reason, or it can happen with no identifiable trigger. People with depression may experience difficulties in maintaining relationships, holding down jobs, or completing schoolwork. They may also struggle to maintain good health, and, in severe cases, may experience suicidal ideation.
In general, there are four types of depression: major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression). In 2023, 29% of Americans reported having been diagnosed with depression at some point in life.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Also known as OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that typically causes people to have unwanted, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Although many people with OCD know their intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational, they may believe they are powerless to stop them. In the United States, 2% to 3% of the population may have OCD, and signs and symptoms most often appear during childhood and adolescence.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects about 6% of the United States population. The condition tends to be most often associated with veterans traumatized from combat, but PTSD can happen to anyone who experiences a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms usually include nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, withdrawal from loved ones, trouble concentrating, being easily startled, and engaging in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance misuse.
Other common mental illnesses can include the following:
Eating disorders
Panic disorder
Bipolar disorder
Dissociative disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Schizophrenia
Substance use disorders
It can be important to remember that all these mental illnesses usually have treatments available to improve symptoms, from therapy to medication to simple lifestyle interventions. If you are living with a mental health condition, know there is help available to you.
Honoring Mental Illness Awareness Week
Whether you live with a mental illness or know someone who does, you can get involved for Mental Health Awareness Week. Below, we offer three impactful ways you can celebrate October 1 through 7.
Provide support. One of the most important things you can do to help those experiencing a mental illness may be to provide support for them. This may be in the form of reaching out to check up on a loved one who struggles with a mental health condition, or it may look like driving a friend or family member to their therapy sessions, doctor’s appointments, or other important events they may struggle to attend without assistance. Many people with mental illnesses may feel ashamed and hesitant to ask for help. They may also struggle to open up about what they’re experiencing. Be sure to reassure them that you are there for them, you care for them, and they deserve to be supported.
Fight discrimination. To fight the stigma against mental illness, it can be important to educate yourself and others about different mental health conditions and how they can be treated. From there, you can work to destigmatize seeking mental health treatment by discussing your own story or spreading information about people who have successfully treated their mental illnesses. Utilize resources like Mental Health America’s Get Information education center to learn more about mental illness.
Raise awareness. There are many aspects of mental illness that can be challenging to manage in daily life. On top of difficult symptoms, some people struggle to find adequate treatment due to living in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals. Others may lack the socioeconomic resources needed for adequate treatment. Understanding that living with mental illness can be multifaceted and often extends beyond symptoms can be vital for raising awareness and working toward a better mental health care system.
Mental health support and treatment options
Living with a mental health condition can be challenging, but it tends to be a common situation that many people face. Many mental health conditions are treatable and can improve significantly with the proper support.
Treatment options for mental illnesses typically include doctor-prescribed medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. Common therapies that can help mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorder, and more, include the following:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Exposure therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
While medication cannot cure mental illness, it can help with managing symptoms. Reach out to your doctor or psychiatrist for more information on medication options.
Studies show that the most effective treatment can vary depending on the disorder. In some cases, medication can make mental illness symptoms more manageable, while therapy can help you address mental health issues at the root, working toward long-term recovery.
Finding a therapist and therapy type that works for you can be the first step toward healing. Whether you prefer the social dynamic of group therapy or more intensive one-on-one therapy sessions, there are options available to you.
Those with busy schedules may appreciate the convenience of online therapy, through which individuals can connect with mental health professionals from the comfort of their homes and choose between video, phone, and online chat sessions.
Research suggests that in-person and online therapy typically produce the same results.
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