Over the past year, mental health needs have reached new heights, especially with a persistent long-term pandemic. Our mental health affects how we think, feel and act, and is essential at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood. It impacts the choices we make, how we handle stress, and our day-to-day interactions with others. Our mental health largely determines our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
“While we have seen great strides in combating the stigma associated with mental illness, we still have work to do! We have to get to the point where there is no distinction between a physical, mental health or addiction illness. That takes each of us being willing to stop, listen and understand. To allow ourselves to open up and share our personal stories, to feel comfortable reaching out for help and have open conversations that lead to healing and acceptance.” -Kristie Hammonds, President & CEO Frontier Health
Every May, Frontier Health promotes Mental Health Awareness Month and strives to shed new light on the stigma surrounding mental health. Mental health affects every individual; we all experience emotional ups and downs at some point in our lives. Having positive mental health allows people to:
- Realize their full potential
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Work productively
- Develop healthy relationships
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
If you or someone you know is living with mental health problems, Frontier Health offers affordable services that can provide help and hope. Any of the following are warning signs that you need to reach out for help:
- Hearing voices
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
“Mental Health Awareness Month is an important opportunity to highlight the impact of mental health issues on individuals, families and communities and the hope of recovery. It is also a time to highlight that those living with mental health issues are deserving of care, understanding, compassion, and pathways to healing and recovery.” – Diane Bowen, Sr. VP, Frontier Health
Mental Health problems are common, and help is available. Through proper treatment, people with mental health problems can recover. Frontier Health offers a wide variety of resources for both children and adults; please visit frontierhealth.org to learn more.