The Change Begins With Us | Mental Health Awareness Month

Since we have already talked about mental illness statistics, the taboo around medication and how important it is to fight stigma, let's talk about how we can actually help someone with a mental health condition. One of the main concerns about helping somebody with mental illness is that we don't know much about it and we don't feel fully equipped to offer proper help, which is a valid and appropriate response to this matter. To that end, we will bring here some of the official channels in order to get information from it and learn the tools to help others. Additionally, we want to share with you some insights we have gained along the way and, together, create a positive space where everybody is welcome.

There are many initiatives in the United States that support people with mental illness. We will name a few from which we will learn more about mental health in its many aspects. NAMI— the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country dedicated to building better lives for people affected by mental illnesses. Their mission is to provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness to individuals and their families affected by mental illness. 

Additionally, NIH— the National Institute of Health, which is the largest biomedical research agency in the world, has created NIMH— the National Institute of Mental Health, which is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. They envisage a world where mental illness can be preventable and curable. In order to accomplish that, their mission is to transform understanding and treatment of mental illness through basic and clinical research. In both institutes, we can find reliable information about mental health, answers to standard questions, and adicional channels and partnerships to get help from.  

Once we learn basic information about mental health, another important step is to pay attention to those around us. We never know how and when we will encounter someone who needs help. When we talked about fighting taboo against medication, we also addressed there is a lot of blame and guilt experienced by those with a mental health condition. Part of the solution to defeat stigma is the willingness to be open about this matter and to listen to what people with a mental illness have to say. Once we open a space that is devoid of judgement and criticism, it becomes easier to talk about it and to seek a solution for it.

It is important to hold society accountable for how mental health is approached in professional and social settings these days. And, even though it is essential to acknowledge we all play a part in this major problem, we can also do the work to be part of the solution. Even when we don't feel fully equipped to offer help to someone with a mental health condition, simple questions such as "Are you ok?" and "Do you want to talk about it?"; are conversation starters and it could save somebody's life because people with any kind of mental illness fear social isolation and, most of the time, prejudice. Positive affirmations such as "Your feelings are valid." and "I'm here when and if you want to talk about it." build the validation these people need. 

We navigate relationships differently in personal and professional settings. Therefore, needs and expectations differ from one environment to another. When it comes to mental health though, change in society will happen when we stand together to fight stigma and dismissiveness. In a world where all of us encounter challenges to be accepted and loved in society, those with a mental illness suffer even more. It is important that we stand up and create a safer and embracing environment for them. After all, we never know if we as well might need help one day. 

There is a misbelief that mental illness is a condition far away from our reality, the statistics have shown it is not. It is actually more common than we want to believe it is and it negatively impacts society. That is why we must talk about it and act on it. The channels we presented earlier in this article are the main ones, however, there are other initiatives that are committed to improve the life condition of those with mental health issues. There are serious studies in which we can rely on and learn from, there are experts behind these institutions as well, ready to answer questions and to welcome anyone who wants to help.

Most importantly, the knowledge and approach on mental health is on an exponential and increasing curve, which means we are closer than ever before to change the scenario worldwide on how we deal with mental health. Once we change our attitude towards people with mental illness, our actions will help them to heal, but it will also have the power to reverberate to more and more people. 

Consequently, we broaden the range of people receiving proper attention and treatment. Hopefully, we will be able to change the reality of these numbers on mental illness. We will be able to fight social isolation, suicide attempts, amongst other aftermaths of this condition. Approaching mental health with an open mind can save lives. Mine, yours, somebody else's. We are all in this together.

If you or someone you know needs help:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255