When Mental Health Month Is Upon Us, It’s Important to Keep Awareness of This Important Subject in Mind
When Mental Health Month is upon us, it’s important to keep awareness of this important subject in mind. We should all learn about it and be prepared to educate others. It’s also a great time to make sure we’re doing all we can to make the lives of those who suffer from mental health disorders better.
Race-based exclusion from health, educational, social and economic resources
One of the greatest challenges in healthcare today is addressing health disparities, which are the inequities in health outcomes among different demographics. These disparities are driven by several factors. They can be behavioral, social, environmental, or structural.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health disparities as differences in access to health care, health insurance coverage, and other factors that affect the health of individuals. This difference in health outcomes results in higher rates of illness and premature death.
Health disparities impact groups based on race, gender, disability, and geographic location. They are a major contributor to the costs of excess medical care. Some of the biggest disparities include: infant mortality, pregnancy-related deaths, and chronic conditions.
Research has found that individuals in the United States have a disproportionately high prevalence of mental health disorders. Moreover, African Americans are more likely to experience psychological distress than their white counterparts.
COVID affects mental health
If you have been affected by COVID-19, you may have experienced some mental health effects. In addition to affecting your physical health, this pandemic has caused a variety of other psychological issues.
During the first months of the pandemic, many people reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. This was particularly true for young people. It also appeared that stress levels increased during the COVID-19 crisis.
Some studies found that women are more vulnerable to stress than men. Women may have had greater exposure to violence at home or at work. They may also have had greater disruptions to their daily lives due to employment interruptions.
Healthcare workers faced intense pressures during the SARS and COVID-19 pandemics. During this period, many reported anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Pandemic affects mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the mental health of many Americans. As the world’s oldest and most severe coronavirus outbreak, the virus has caused anxiety and uncertainty, as well as stress. Despite these challenges, the human population has been resilient.
The pandemic has caused a number of negative impacts, but many positive changes have also been reported. Some changes include better work-life balance, improved family dynamics, and enhanced feelings of closeness.
Many people have suffered from financial stress, job loss, and general anxiety. Some individuals have not felt comfortable reaching out for help. There are barriers to accessing care, as well as a lack of mental healthcare professionals.
One of the most disturbing effects of the pandemic is the high number of suicides. During the first year of the outbreak, approximately eleven million adults had serious thoughts of suicide.
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, or NMMHAM, is held each July to educate the public about mental illness in diverse communities. It is a national effort to increase awareness and research about mental health. There are numerous resources available to help support the goal of eradicating stigma around mental health.
Historically, minority communities have faced disproportionate inequities due to systemic barriers. This includes access to treatment, cultural stigma, and lack of health coverage. The Office of Minority Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services works to promote resources that can address these issues.
Having informed conversations about mental health can help overcome stigma. Developing partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and others can also help address the disparities surrounding these conditions.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is a global event that promotes mental health education and encourages people to take care of themselves. It also helps to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.
In the United States, about 25% of adults have a diagnosable mental illness. There are many effective treatment options available, including medications, psychotherapy and residential programs. However, some people are left feeling isolated and unsupported, especially if they don’t receive proper care.
Many countries have low access to treatment for mental health disorders. This is why it is so important to advocate for more mental health resources. As well, it’s important to educate the public about how to recognize warning signs of a mental health issue.
While there is no cure for a mental disorder, most treatments can improve a person’s quality of life. Aside from conventional methods, such as medication, people can improve their mental health by exercising, engaging in activities that are enjoyable and spending time with loved ones.
