Mental Health Awareness Month was first established in 1949 to increase the awareness of mental health and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being which affects how we think, feel, act, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness, it is essential to your overall health and quality of life. By raising awareness, it reduces the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and seeking treatment.
As part of an effort to bring awareness to the importance of mental health in our region, Benton-Franklin Health District Board of Health passed a resolution proclaiming May 2022, Mental Health Month in Benton and Franklin Counties. In a regional collaborative effort, the Benton-Franklin Health District, the Behavioral Health Subcommittee of the Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance, and other community partners are attempting to shine a light on the issues around mental health in our region.
Maintaining good mental health can help manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. By creating positive habits, you support your mental health when you are well and build skills if you face mental health symptoms.
These are a few mental health resources:
- A Mindful State – A community-built project community-built project bringing people together from across Washington to talk about mental health to find help, connect, help others.
- You Can Washington – Resources for youth on how to cope with stress, identifying when you need help, finding support, self-care practices, and helping others
- NAMI WA – support groups, educational resources, youth programing, and mental health resources for the Hispanic/Latinx community.
- Mental Health America – Provide prevention services, early identification, and tools for mental wellness resources and a Mental Health Month toolkit with resources on terms to know, recognizing when you need help, and what to do when you need help.
- National Institute of Health – Offers information about mental disorders, a range of related topics, and the latest mental health research and a Mental Health Your Healthiest Self a toolkit on finding ways to improve your well-being for your unique set of health needs.
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, having thoughts of suicide, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. You can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or chat online to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Youth can call or text 1.866.TEENLINK (866.833.6546), or chat to talk about whatever is on your mind – bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression, or any other issues you are facing. At Teen Link there is someone willing to listen to you without judgment.
You may not need this information today, but Mental Health Month provides an opportunity to find out about the services and supports available during a crisis. So you can be prepared if you ever need it.