May is Mental Health Month. It’s actually just one of the many initiatives designed to promote awareness of mental health problems in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five Americans lives with a mental health illness within a given year. Only about 41 percent of these adults receive mental health services. Even more alarming is that only about 50 percent of children from the ages of 8–15 received mental health services. Caucasian Americans are much more likely to get help than African Americans or Hispanic Americans.
The consequences of not getting treatment are astounding. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Over 90 percent of the children who die by suicide have mental health conditions. It’s estimated that 20 veterans die by suicide each day. Students who have a mental health condition are more likely to drop out of school. The third most common reason for hospitalization are mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or major depression. One study estimates that Americans lose almost $194 billion in earnings each year due to serious mental illness.
Professional Help First
The best way to deal with mental health concerns and illnesses is to seek professional help. NAMI (at nami.org) can refer you to help in your area. There are many community mental health centers that have programs to assist you with mental health problems. Your doctor is another resource you should use. Some mental health conditions are life-long. There are many medications which can help deal with chemical imbalances. Don’t be afraid to talk to your physician.
Sometimes, depression or anxiety is a short-term issue. You may need someone to help you through grief, for any kind of loss. After a crime, many people experience anxiety or PTSD. Talking about your fears instead of hiding them can often help you face the issue and find a sense of peace again. Find a licensed therapist in your community with experience in helping people who have gone through your situation. It might not happen overnight, but with targeted therapy toward a goal, you can get back your life.
Maintaining Mental Well-Being
One important aspect of mental well-being is making positive lifestyle choices. Everyone has stress. It’s how you deal with that stress that indicates your mental health. Eating healthy and taking time for yourself can help you stay mentally well. It’s thought that exercise can help you deal with stress and depression. Now there’s scientific proof.
Researchers at University of California with the Davis Medical Center studied 38 healthy individuals and the effects of exercise on the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA in the brain. Prior to the study, it has been noted that the levels of glutamate and GABA are depleted in the brains of individuals with depression and anxiety. The researchers at U of C discovered that exercise increased the levels of these compounds in the body. This leads them to believe that exercise keeps the levels higher all the time. Because glutamate and GABA are so important to mental well-being, the researchers believe that people who regularly exercise decrease their risk of depression and anxiety.
The U of C researchers want to repeat the study with individuals who are depressed to examine those results. There have been other studies demonstrating that exercise does help with depression and anxiety. More doctors are including exercise in a treatment plan based on all the evidence.
Exercise is not a panacea, but it may be a good alternative to anti-depressants, which often have many side effects. Most importantly, when you’re dealing with mental health problems, you shouldn’t deal with them alone. Professional help is available. There’s no stigma in reaching out for healthcare. Don’t live with mental illness.