by Thomas J. Hart, J.D., Director and Merrill Friedman, Sr. Director, Anthem Disability Policy Engagement Team
Each year, 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental health condition. With so many people impacted, the chances are that almost everyone will know someone who is affected; either themselves, a family member, or a coworker. And despite commonplace occurrences of mental health conditions, misunderstanding and archaic biases are often barriers for people to properly identify symptoms and seek treatment and support. That is why we recognize each May as Mental Health Awareness Month, awareness and acceptance help foster inclusion for all people with disabilities.
One of the goals of Mental Health Awareness Month is to share accurate information, sort out misunderstandings, and bust myths about mental health. It is also an opportunity to share the truth about symptoms and recovery and to connect people with help. One of the many valuable attributes of the mental health community is people with lived experience, those who also experience these conditions who are an important link in support and understanding.
As a society, we all are affected when people with mental health conditions go without the services and supports they need for their health and wellbeing. That’s why we are so focused on self-care, especially in this time of the COVID-19 crisis. The first step in increasing acceptance is to educate ourselves and those around us on the facts about mental health conditions, common symptoms, and ways to get help or support someone in accessing care and services.
Common symptoms you may recognize in yourself or a loved one can include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We encourage you to learn more about organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) along with many local organizations in communities across America that are there to support you with in-person and online tools and resources to access confidential and trusted support.
And we also encourage you to take the time to care for yourself. In fact, please join us at Anthem in celebrating self-care and taking time to recharge by sharing your #MeMinutes on social media!
If you or a loved one has thoughts of harming themselves, reach out for help immediately. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or message a Crisis Text Line counselor by texting HOME to 741741. You can also call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Please remember as we navigate these uncertain times that are challenging us all in many different ways, especially emotionally, you are not alone. None of us are. Although our journeys may be different, we are in this together.