“Bipolar Disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life.”
— Carrie Fisher
May is national mental health awareness month. Yay! (says the girl who wants to be a child life specialist in a children’s mental health hospital/ unit someday). I think it is great that mental health conditions are being recognized. We always talk about cancer and what we can do to prevent it or donate money so we can find a cure. While this is good, I think that it is important to help find a cure for mental conditions as well.
Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as “Mental Health Month”) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings.
World Health Organization (WHO) says that 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological conditions at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.
Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Those who suffer from a mental health condition need to have a proper coping technique to go along with their treatment. They need to have a support system and take proper medication.
Not only do adults suffer from mental conditions, but children do as well. Nearly 5 million children in the U.S. have some type of serious mental illness. In any given year, 20% of American children will be diagnosed with a mental illness (WebMD). I believe that a child’s illness doesn’t define them, but they define themselves.
Do you know someone who has a mental condition and needs help? Urge them to seek help and show them support during the tough times. Show them you care by being there for them during the good and bad times.
Until next time!
peacehopeandplaysite 