The Importance of Mental Health

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but reducing health disparities should be a priority year-round. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is just as important as physical health throughout our lives. Mental health issues are common – nearly 1 in 4 US adults live with a mental illness. Mental health issues are treatable and often preventable. People of color consistently face unique obstacles in mental healthcare, including:

· Systemic Disparities: A higher likelihood of being uninsured or underinsured.

· Cultural Stigma: Increased reliance on self-managing mental health challenges rather than seeking therapy.

· Lack of Representation: A deficit of mental health providers who share cultural backgrounds or understand intersectional lived experiences

Established in 2008 by the U.S. House of Representatives, Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (also known as BIPOC) highlights the importance of Mental Health as it pertains to marginalized communities, and aims to eradicate the stigma of mental illness and break down systemic inequities in health care access. Mental health is about how we think, feel, and connect with others. It affects how we handle stress, make decisions, and go about our daily lives. When our mental health is good, it helps us take care of our responsibilities and enjoy life. When it is not, it can affect our physical health, our self-esteem, and how we behave and relate to other people.

Some people have mental health symptoms that are strong, long-lasting, and make it hard to function day to day. This may be a sign of a mental health condition, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or panic disorder. Others may not have a diagnosed condition but still struggle with their mental health. This can include feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally distressed. Here are a few ways to manage your mental health overall:

· Get enough sleep each night (at least 7 hours)

· Engage in healthy habits, like exercising and eating well

· Stick to a treatment plan given by your health care provider

· Find a support group and seek out your health care provider for support

Today, good mental health is achievable thanks to many forms of support. Share the resources in this blog to spread awareness of the importance of good mental health and to help ensure that everyone has equal access to the mental health resources they need. You can also use the blog as a source to find tools to help you manage your mental health. Together, we can all do our part to support better mental health for ourselves and others.