Mental Health Services for Children and Families

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 20% of American Adults experienced a mental illness. And for kids, mental health is worsening. Almost 10% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression. There is a huge unmet need for mental health treatment among youth and adults. 60% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2017-18. That is why May is an important since it is known nationally as Mental Awareness Month. This month presents an opportunity for Americans to recognize the mental health-related issues in this country and to begin advocating for policies and systems to better support people suffering from mental illnesses.

How May and Awareness Can Help You and Others

The purpose of Mental Awareness Month is to educate people. While also attempting to remove the stigma that is often attached to a lot of mental illnesses. While all this is important it also aims to offer resources who those who are struggling or know of people who are struggling. It aims to give support, information, and empowerment. That you and they are not alone.

The idea is to help people become happy, contributing members of the community while holding on to deep relationships and friendships. It is a way to offer an understanding of what people are going through not only for them but for the others around them.

Mental illnesses or disorders are viewed as a different way of thinking, behavior, and mood but it is often linked to an impaired function or distress. These illnesses can often lead to pain, disability, lowering of physical health, and even, in the worst case, death.

Learning How to Cope and Help

There are several Mental Health Services that can give you and others the tools that they need to live with these illnesses. There are some things that you can try to do, after you speak to a professional, of course. These activities can be to find safe outlets for emotions. Such as keeping a journal, drawing, playing an instrument, etc. Even sports are a good way to help with emotions.

One of the more important aspects of it is talking. This can be with a therapist or a group of people in the same world as you.

As for what you can do to help others is to listen and remind them to not be too hard on themselves. That they should not fear their mental state, and allow themselves time to adjust. You can also gently suggest to them to seek help without being aggressive or overwhelming. Your intentions and heart may be in the right place, but it may not come across as such.

Spend more time with them either in real life or through chatting and phone calls. This can let them know that you are there for them and that you support them. One of the more important things is to watch them while giving them time.

The thing with mental disorders or illnesses is that they are not easy to spot since people tend to hide them. Some do it really well. Therefore, keep an eye on them, and if need be suggest that they reach out for more help.