May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

                It is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time where we step up the awareness of mental health issues.  For me, every month is Mental Health Awareness Month.  I even have a t-shirt with that sentiment on it.  When you live with a mental illness there is no month off.  There is no being unaware of mental health.  It lives with you.  It is not who you are, but it is a large part of your life.

                  This month you will see more social media posts about mental health.  More people will share their stories.  Hopefully, more people will get the help and support they need.  Raising awareness must include getting more people the help they need.  Conversations about mental health are encouraged in May, but really, they need to be encouraged all year long.  Thankfully, conversations are now being held more often. Organizations like NAMI promote mental health and awareness about mental illness all year long.  There are mental health advocates all over social media. That is what we need.

                  There are many simple things we can do during Mental Health Awareness Month.  One simple thing we can do is check in our friends and loved ones.  Ask them how they are doing.  Listen beyond the quick “okay” response.  As someone with depression and anxiety, my go to response is “okay” when someone asks how I am doing.  Okay can mean so many things.  It may mean the person is fine.  It may also mean “I’m struggling, but I don’t want to bother you with what I am feeling.” 

                  There are alternatives to just asking “How are you?”.  I read an article on CNBC, “Don’t Say ‘How are you?’ Ask these 8 questions instead, says expert: ‘You’ll get a genuine response’”.  (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/14/dont-say-how-are-you-ask-these-questions-instead-says-happiness-and-relationship-expert.html) Here are the questions:

                  

·      How are you really?

·      How are you doing right now?

·      What’s been on your mind lately?

·      If you were being completely honest with me, how would you describe your feelings lately?

·      What’s feeling good, and what’s feeling hard?

·      What word would describe your life right now?

·      The last time we talked, you were dealing with [X problem]. How has that been lately?

·      What question do you wish someone would ask you right now?

 

When you ask these questions listen to the response.  Really listen.  Maybe repeat

the response back to the person to check that you understood.  Listen to their response.  You don’t have to have answers.  The important part is listening. Let the person share.  If appropriate, ask clarifying questions or questions that allow the person to delve deeper.  You don’t have to be a therapist to listen to a loved one or friend.  Knowing that someone is interested in how they are doing can really help people.  As you are listening you are showing the person that they matter to you.  Let them know you hear them and that they are important to you.  

                  Asking how a person is doing in this manner is a great way to make Mental Health Awareness Month more meaningful. Just remember that you need to continue beyond May.  This month is about getting conversations about mental health started.  It is a steppingstone to increasing our awareness that people live with struggles, whether a diagnosed mental illness or just a rough patch.  

                  Another thing you can do during this month is attend a mental health event.  NAMI offers many.  A simple Google search or maybe a search on Eventbrite should yield suggestions.  I am going to NAMI Walks on May 4^th.  It is hosted by NAMI GLAC (https://namiglac.org/).  

Try going to your local bookstore and getting a book on some aspect of mental health.  My most recent book, Traveling the Healing Journey: Finding the Light in Mental Illness is a memoir of living life with a mental illness. My book is a quick read and can be ordered in your local bookstore or on Amazon (Traveling the Healing Journey on Amazon)
  There are many books about mental health.  Add one to your To Be Read list.

You can also learn about 988, the mental health hotline.  Make it a point this month to familiarize yourself with this hotline and how it can help people with mental illness.  You never know when you might need it.  There is a saying, “Knowledge is power.”  Knowing about 988 could save a life.

Another thing you can do is recognize a mental health professional.  National Mental Health Provider Day is May 12.  If you have a provider acknowledge them for this day.  Let them know how they affect your life.  

Look for posts about mental health on social media.  Share a couple.  By doing this you are raising awareness about mental health.  We all share memes and other posts.  Give that sharing some meaning.

If you live with mental illness, try some different self-care practices this month.  I plan to try Tai Chi.  I am hoping it will ease some of my anxiety.  What can you try? 

Mental Health Awareness Month is just starting.  I encourage you to do something.  Start with checking in on someone.  You never know the difference you can make.