Mental Health Awareness: The Hidden Signs

Good mental health includes various facets of your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Having strong mental health encompasses more than simply the absence of mental illness.

Spotlight on Mental Health
What health problem is one of the most common and, at the same time, most neglected? It’s Mental Illness.

Mental health issues have become increasingly pervasive in recent years, particularly among certain demographic groups, including young adults. These staggering statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (with similar trends corroborated by many other studies) make it clear how widespread the crisis we are facing is :

• One in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.
• One in five children, either currently or at some point, has had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
• One in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
• More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime.

It Affects Us All and Should Not be Ignored

From anxiety and depression to stress and chronic illness, many people suffer from mental health issues. But, many are not getting the help they need. Their struggles often go unnoticed and untreated due to a lack of understanding and awareness, social stigma, and limited access to appropriate resources. Individuals may be reluctant to ask for help because of fear, shame, and denial.

It can be challenging for parents to tell if their child’s emotions and behaviors are part of a developmental stage or a more serious problem. A teenager about to graduate high school might blame the sudden lack of motivation on “senioritis.” Adolescents can blame hormones or stress for mood swings, thinking it’s just a temporary ailment.

If overlooked, mental health disorders can have far-reaching and sometimes tragic consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Without treatment, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders can become more severe, leading to an increased risk of social isolation, substance abuse, relationship problems, job loss, physical health issues, and suicide. In fact, most people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental condition, such as depression or substance use disorder. 

Increased Awareness in Recent Years

The good news is that there are many available resources to help support our mental health. Perhaps one of the silver-lining upsides of recent years has been an increased national dialog and spotlight on mental health. In addition to services provided by The Women’s Center, organizations such as MentalHealth.gov and Mental Health America aggregate and offer valuable resources to support strong mental wellness.  

Good mental health includes various facets of your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Having strong mental health encompasses more than simply the absence of mental illness. On a basic level, practicing self-care – taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally – is always a good place to start. Practicing mindfulness and self-awareness can also help identify issues and patterns that might trigger worsened symptoms.  

When to Seek Professional Help

We all have felt stressed, anxious, or down at some point. It’s normal. However, if negative feelings persist, it may be a sign of a mental health issue. If you can’t control your emotions and fear or stress is so paralyzing that you can’t function, you should seek professional treatment. Increased substance use, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, hallucinations, paranoia, and experiencing dramatic emotional highs and lows may all indicate an underlying mental health issue. If you observe dangerous behavior or hear someone talking about harming themselves or someone else, seek help immediately.

The Women’s Center is one of many caring organizations that can help. We focus on supporting disadvantaged community members, ensuring that financial need is never a barrier to accessing care. For more information about services provided by The Women’s Center, please call either our Vienna location at (571) 385-1625 or our DC location at (202) 293-4580 or email us at questions@thewomenscenter.org. If you are experiencing a medical or psychological emergency, call 9-1-1. 

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A few resources and talking points

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidebanis/2019/01/24/mental-illness-is-the-most-neglected-health-problem-in-the-developing-world/?sh=16f96f481db4
• https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/mental-health-children-and-parents.html
• https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers
• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2022/05/31/reducing-the-economic-burden-of-unmet-mental-health-needs/