We often hear the phrase ‘mind-body connection’. What this means is that mental and physical health are interwoven and can affect one another. Mental illness can increase the risk of physical health problems just as chronic physical health conditions can increase the risk of mental illness. Given that mental and physical health are equally important, why is there disproportionately less awareness about mental health issues?
Mental health includes our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. The state of our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. Poor mental health is not the same as mental illness but could lead to mental illness if left unaddressed. A mental illness is a condition that affects an individual’s ability to function or relate to others on a daily basis. Examples of mental illness include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia.
Down With the Sickness
One in five adults in the United States will experience mental illness during their lifetime, affecting friends, family, and community members in the process. In 2019, one in 20 adults—13.1 million people—experienced serious mental illness. At this moment, it is estimated that there are at least 8.4 million people in the US providing unpaid care to an adult suffering from a mental or emotional health issue.
In addition, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the US. And of these people who die by suicide, 46 percent had a diagnosed mental health condition. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, over 178,000 people have reported thoughts of suicide, with 37 percent of them considering suicide almost every day in September 2020.
Faced with these disturbing statistics, it is plain to see why we need to talk about mental illness more. However, despite the prevalence of mental illness, stigma and misunderstanding continue to run rampant, preventing meaningful conversations.
Mental health stigma often comes from stereotypes that are misinformed and negative. Society places shame on people suffering from mental illness or emotional distress, and thus prevents them from reaching out to seek help and treatment for their issues. The pressure of mental health stigma can worsen symptoms and prevent individuals from recovery and rehabilitation.
One of the most common stereotypes about people suffering from mental illness is that they are unpredictable or violent. While a minute number of people with mental illness may commit violent acts, people living with mental illness are actually ten times more likely to be victims of violent crime. People with mental illness are, in fact, a vulnerable group that requires greater social support and protection.
Since the majority of stigma stems from unfounded fear and lack of understanding, public education and awareness campaigns are essential to increase knowledge about mental health and mental illness.
Are You Okay?
This year, the Biden administration declared the month of May the National Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also designate a National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September and a Mental Illness Awareness Week during the first week of October. These events are meant to be a time to share experiences and resources around the taboo and stigmatized topic of mental illness.
However, outside of these specific occasions, what else is being done to amplify mental health awareness?
Mental health education and support need to start in schools. The Biden administration plans to allocate funding to expand school-based mental health services. This could not be more timely as young people—particularly from marginalized groups—are becoming more mentally unwell. A recent report states that 12.4 percent of youth who identify as more than one race suffer from severe depression and LGBTQ+ youth are presenting high incidences of suicidal ideation.
We must provide safe spaces for children and young people to discuss their identities and feelings. Children and youth need to know that emotions are a normal part of life and that mental wellness is just as important as physical health. Adults need to embody role model behavior when talking about mental health, our feelings, and the ways we express them.
At work, employers can offer free mental health screenings or health insurance that covers counseling and medical health medication. They can host workshops or lifestyle coaching events that address stress management and mental wellness. Companies can allow employees to have a stake in issues that affect their job stress and create dedicated relaxation spaces for employees to unwind.
But how about outside of our institutions? There needs to be more assimilated mental health awareness in our daily lives.
From fashion brands and celebrities championing mental health awareness to the new focus on self-care and work-life balance, we need to see mental health messages more often. It could be in the form of custom mats at mall entrances asking “are you okay?” or street art at train stations expressing the struggles of mental illness. Unexpected prompts can inspire introspection and spark conversations about mental health.
There are also courses available for those who are interested in learning more about mental health issues. Mental health first aid training gives laypeople the skills to assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis until professional help arrives. Programs such as these build mental health literacy and empower the public to comprehend and cope with the signs of mental illness.
Mental illness is a looming shadow over our society. Until we can remove the stigma of poor mental health and mental illness, it would be difficult to convince people living with mental health issues to step forward for treatment. While many of the root causes of mental stress are societal and structural, we can still do our best as individuals to help by initiating discussions and offering judgment-free support.