May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health in America has always been an issue in need of greater support and advocacy, and today, it seems like more people than ever are living with mental health-related diagnoses. Children in particular are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses at incredible rates. And, there isn’t one specific cause that we can tackle to make everyone’s lives better: lingering effects of the pandemic, financial stress, violence in our communities, increasing isolation, excessive social media use, and more have all played a part in today’s “perfect storm” of mental illness. One thing is for sure—our mental health is connected to every part of our lives, and it’s an issue our community leaders, organizations, and legislators should be paying attention to in order to help all Michiganders thrive.
While changing every source of stress on Americans’ mental health may never be possible, one priority at every level must be increasing access to resources and support that help people cope with an uncertain world. From mindfulness-based programs that shift perspectives and promote gratitude and appreciation, to cognitive behavioral or other therapies that retrain the brain and reduce negative thought patterns, the number of digital tools and virtual counseling options has drastically increased since the pandemic. This ensures that people have diverse and accessible options for receiving both short- and long-term care. Medication prescribed by a qualified provider is also a crucial part of many people’s journey to better mental health, and telehealth has expanded access to this important tool as well. Michigan provides wellness and mental health tools here. For people living with severe mental illness or intellectual or developmental disabilities, state-funded Community Mental Health Programs exist in most counties and may provide services to people regardless of insurance status. Find your point of contact here.
Another important way to boost mental health is by strengthening our communities as a whole. Connection with others has been widely shown to improve mental health, increase resilience, and even benefit physical health across every age group, whereas isolation leads to a variety of poor outcomes. Finding ways to increase meaningful interactions with other people, whether it’s through shared interests, experiences, or simple proximity to one another, is an important strategy to enhance and maintain our collective mental health. The Centers for Independent Living and partner organizations are committed to providing recreational and social opportunities for people with disabilities and their families, and many municipalities also host events and activities for residents. See what’s going on around you by contacting your local city or township or by visiting https://www.michigan.org/events.
When it comes to disability, it’s no secret that mental health conditions can be debilitating and disabling on their own or complicate living with an existing disability. Ensuring that mental health conditions are given the same priority as other health conditions by medical providers, employers, and friends and family members allows people to receive proper treatment, accommodations, and support. The Centers for Independent Living can help people request employment accommodations, navigate medical care, find peer support, and more through their information and referral programs. Get in touch with your local CIL at https://dnmichigan.org/cils/
Finally, The National Alliance on Mental Illness is also using this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme to remind us that whoever and however we are right now, we are #MoreThanEnough. We all have worth and inherent value, and we are not defined by our mental illness, disabilities, productivity, or any other measure of “success.” Our presence and humanity are more than enough. If you are struggling and need immediate support, please call 988 for the suicide and crisis line, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat. For non-crisis assistance, NAMI offers a peer helpline via phone, text, or chat at https://nami.org/help.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s make our mental health our top priority. Whether you’re seeking help for a condition for the first time, supporting a friend or family member experiencing mental illness, or advocating for additional funding or resources related to this issue, you are making a difference and helping to #FightStigma around mental health. Together, we can create a healthier and more connected society.