Photo: Banyan Treatment Center
With mental health becoming an increasingly prominent issue around the world, we must work to increase mental health awareness and curb the spread of stigmas. Today, I’ll be sharing with you 3 simple ways to promote mental health awareness within yourself and your community
You can’t start informing others about mental health without first knowing what it is yourself! And with mental health being a topic that has been long ignored by the media, you may have to do a little digging to find and differentiate true from false information. Fortunately there are many government websites that can help, like SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and even the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Use these and other trusted sites to build your knowledge in mental health and prepare you to take the next step.
Mental health is kept under wraps by many people particularly due to the fact that they’re afraid of what others may think of them if they declare that they’re suffering from a mental health illness. Due to false media, mental health illnesses have been seen as something to be feared, and people suffering from them are seen as outsiders in society. To combat this, it’s vital that you openly talk to friends, loved ones, or anyone who needs someone to talk to. At all times, remember to listen judgment-free, not allowing negative thoughts to disrupt the conversation. And if a person you have talked to or know is suffering from mental health illnesses, encourage them to reach out to specialists to get help.
Now that you’ve armed yourself with the knowledge of mental health to help break stigmas, as well as developed skills to converse and listen to those suffering from mental health illnesses, it’s time to pass on your skills to others. There are many ways to do this, be it creating a mental health awareness event within your local community or even starting a club at your school that talks about how to make yourself and others aware of mental health stigmas in society.
While the world is starting to turn more towards mental health awareness, there are many stigmas and misinformation that threaten to stop this change. That’s why it’s up to you to educate yourself on and inspire others to join the charge against mental health stigmas, keeping the positive momentum going to create a better tomorrow.
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