May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a time that we can advocate for mental health issues, and help to bring awareness.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, according to Mental Health America, “is “Back to Basics.” Our goal is to provide foundational knowledge about mental health & mental health conditions and information about what people can do if their mental health is a cause for concern.”

In the wake of COVID-19, more people are struggling with Mental Health issues than ever.  The last two years have been a trauma to our collective psyche.  So, this is the perfect time to bring awareness to mental health issues!

Do you or someone you know struggle with mental health issues?

If so, you are probably aware of issues like how difficult it can be to find a therapist, and the stigma in society against mental health.  Stigma is one reason that many people go untreated for mental health issues.

Working to break the stigma against mental health issues is an important facet of Mental Health Awareness Month. Working to normalize mental health issues can go a long ways toward hope and healing for many people.

According to Psychiatry,

Stigma and discrimination can contribute to worsening symptoms and reduced likelihood of getting treatment. A recent extensive review of research found that self-stigma leads to negative effects on recovery among people diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. Effects can include:

• reduced hope
• lower self-esteem
• increased psychiatric symptoms
• difficulties with social relationships
• reduced likelihood of staying with treatment
• more difficulties at work

By working to break the stigma against mental health issues and speaking up on these topics, we can help to be part of a solution on a societal level. You can do this by speaking up about mental health issues, sharing information about Mental Health Awareness Month on your social media, and talking to friends and families about mental health issues in society.