For those who were unaware, May marks Mental Health Month. Although Mental Health Month may sound like something new, it isn’t. In 1949, the US Congress enacted the month of May as “Mental Health Month” with the idea of raising awareness of mental health conditions and the hope of aiding those who sought help.
With tough economic times at hand and an ever eroding public health care system in the US, it’s great to new that the government encourages individuals to be proactive. As a matter of fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) gives all of the below suggestions, on their website (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov), to raise awareness of mental health conditions and show support for Mental Health Month in our communities. The suggestions are more directed towards children:
• Learning more about mental well-being in children.
• Celebrating the accomplishments and strengths of children.
• Fostering self-worth and independence in children.
• Helping children express their feelings.
• Promoting mutual respect and trust.
• Recognizing the strengths in all children.
• Appreciating each child’s uniqueness.
• Encouraging individual talents.
• Helping children set goals based on their abilities and interests.
• Showing confidence in their ability to handle problems and tackle new experiences.
17/05/2009 at 3:53 pm Permalink
Thank you for the information regarding Mental Health Month. It will be a happy day for me when the stigma attached to mental illness is no longer a consideration. I lost my boyfriend to suicide in 2004 and I am still affected by it. He had 19 yrs. of sobriety but could not get the appropriate help/medication to ease his depression. He fought a valiant fight for most of his life and will always be a hero in my eyes.
18/05/2009 at 11:57 am Permalink
Hey Stef thank you so much for that sincere comment…I’m truly sorry for your loss…I couldn’t agree more with you about metal illness and addiction…it’s amazing how many people in the rooms (NA & AA meetings) openly speak about how they can really put up a good fight against addiction, but how Mental Illness is just a whole different, and often more difficult, animal…I pray to God that they can find support for that as well in the community…E