October can mean many things: football, Halloween, fall weather, or a time change. For those of us in the mental health field, we know things get tough when seasons change. Although fall may be my favorite time of year, I know that daylight hours are getting shorter, and others may start to feel a little darker, too.Â
You may not know this, but 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 U.S. youths experience mental illness each year (NAMI). According to SAMHSA, only 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021. Access to mental health care is low, so low that many counties in Missouri and Kansas meet the criteria to be designated a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (Missouri Healthcare Workforce Project, Bureau of Health Workforce). So, what can we do to ensure adults and youth get the help they need? Awareness and connection are the keys to accessing care and helping our fellow community members.
What Can You Do to Ensure People Get the Help They Need?
Normalize and advocate! Here are a few suggestions for encouraging positive mental health in your area:Â
1. Talk openly about mental health just as you would physical health. Normalize the topic of mental health in everyday conversations.
2. Spread awareness of signs/symptoms of mental health struggles. If someone you know is openly talking about their struggles, identify that this may be a mental health concern and that they should seek support from their doctor.Â
3. Provide information. Refer others to doctors, counselors, and support groups when showing signs of a mental health concern.Â
4. Volunteer with mental health advocacy groups, shelters, child or youth welfare organizations, crisis/prevention phone or text lines, recovery centers, and support/peer groups.Â
Model holistic living by focusing on and prioritizing your mental health!
Increase Awareness & Decrease Stigma
As a therapist, I provide a lot of education about mental health, frequently focusing on how our mind and body are connected and how caring for your mental health will improve your physical health. Often I share information on local therapists, support and counseling groups, and local events that promote mental wellness, hoping someone will benefit from this information. My dream is that I can help decrease the stigma around mental health disorders through my work and daily conversations.
This month, my personal goal is to focus more on advocacy and modeling healthy mental health behaviors. I’ll start by prioritizing time outdoors, rest and relaxation over pushing through, and self-care activities. I also plan on attending the Out of Darkness Walk, hosted by one of my favorite organizations: the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I encourage everyone to join me and get comfortable with the topic of mental health, starting with yourself! Take care and enjoy the transformation of fall.
