Crouch Capitol Connection: Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month (5/25/2012)

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which began in 1949 to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all. Mental Health America has launched a campaign to ‘Do More for 1 in 4’ as a call to action to help the one in four American adults, nearly 60 million people, who live with diagnosable, treatable mental health conditions and the fact that they can go on to live a full and productive life. 

Mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being. And we all know how events and life changes can affect us. It could be a veteran struggling with the invisible wounds of war or someone coping with the stress of caregiving or divorce, or losing a loved one. Sometimes, people are dealing with depression associated with a chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or hypertension. There are many ways people’s mental health can be affected.

While mental health and substance conditions are common, they are extremely treatable. One unfortunate fact is that many people living with a mental health condition—as high as 50 percent never seek or receive help due to stigma, lack of information, cost or lack of health insurance coverage. Many people may be reluctant to ask for help or don’t know where to find it. But there are many community and national resources that can help people find support and treatment.

Mental Health America of Vanderburgh County lists many resources, both local and national, for people to reach out to on their website, which can be found at: www.mhavanderburgh.org. Included are also include lists of support groups, events and volunteer activities. Mental Health America of Indiana also lists resources and support groups on their website at www.mentalhealthassociation.com.

If you would like to show support for someone close to you with a mental health issue, Mental Health America has offered a list of support strategies:

• Educate yourself about the diagnosis, illness symptoms and side effects from antipsychotic treatments and other medications. Local Mental Health America affiliates, public libraries and the Internet are good resources to learn about mental illnesses and treatment options.
• Recognize that your family member or friend may be scared and confused after receiving a diagnosis. Though some people are relieved to receive a diagnosis and actively seek treatment, it may feel devastating to others and bring on stressful feelings.
• Encourage your family member or friend to become an active member with his or her treatment team to gain knowledge about what treatments and services will help in his or her recovery.
• Understand that recovery from mental illness isn’t simply a matter of “just staying on one’s medications.” Self-esteem, social support and a feeling of contributing to society are also essential elements in the recovery process.
• Always respect the individual’s need for and right to privacy. A person with a mental illness has the same right to be treated with dignity and respect as any other person.

Knowing when and how to give support can be difficult to figure out, however. Though you may want to protect your family member or friend, remember that learning to manage one’s own affairs, pursue goals and become independent are important aspects of an individual’s recovery from mental illness. Whatever form it takes, your support, compassion and respect matter.

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State Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville)

Crouch Capitol Connection, Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, 5-25-12.doc