Be Kind To Your Mind

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However:

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too.

None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.” Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.

Source: Nami.org

Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn’t always easy.

• Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
  Excessive worrying or fear
• Feeling excessively sad or low
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
• Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
• Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
• Avoiding friends and social activities
• Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
• Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
• Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
• Changes in sex drive
• Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations)
• Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality
• Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
• Thinking about suicide
• Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
• An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance

Source: Nami.org

Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.

• 22.8% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021 (57.8 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
• 5.5% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2021 (14.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
• 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
• 7.6% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2021 (19.4 million people)

Source: Nami.org

There are many tools that can improve the experience on the road to wellness: medication, counseling (therapy), social support and education. Therapy, for example, can take many forms, from learning relaxation skills to intensively reworking your thinking patterns. Social support, acceptance and encouragement from friends, family and others can also make a difference. Education about how to manage a mental health condition along with other medical conditions can provide the skills and supports to enrich the unique journey toward overall recovery and wellness.

Together with a treatment team you can develop a well-rounded and integrated recovery plan that may include counseling, medications, support groups, education programs and other strategies that work for you.

Mental health professionals all have different roles. Understanding who can prescribe and monitor medication and provide therapy and counseling can offer can help you decide which is right for you.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is when a person speaks with a trained therapist in a safe and confidential environment to explore and understand feelings and behaviors and gain coping skills.

Getting Treatment During a Crisis

Mental health crisis response services are a vital part of any mental health service system. A well-designed crisis response system can provide backup to community providers, perform outreach by connecting first-time users to appropriate services and improve community relations by providing reassurance that the person’s needs are met in a mental health crisis.

Treatment Settings

Treatment for mental health conditions is not a one size fits all approach. Treatment can include private doctors, community mental health centers, emergency rooms, hospitalization and substance abuse centers. Knowing where to look and what to expect can help reduce confusion and stress.

Mental Health Medications

Some people find medications to be an important part of their treatment plan. Understanding their risks and benefits can help you make the right choice.

Psychosocial Treatments

Psychosocial treatments look at someone’s psychological development and how it contributes to the way that they act in and respond to their social environment.

Complementary Health Approaches

Complementary and alternative methods can help with recovery when traditional methods do not seem to be enough.

ECT, TMS and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies

When treatments such as medication and therapy aren’t able to relieve the symptoms of depression or another mental health condition, brain stimulation therapies can be an option.

NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).

Source: Nami.org

It can be challenging to navigate a conversation with your friend if they are struggling.

Based on Bethere.org, follow the "5 Golden Riles" for a great place to start:

Rule 1: Say what you see

Rule 2: Show you care

Rule 3: Hear them out

Rule 4: Know your role

Rule 5: Connect to help

A warm line for mental health is a non-emergency support line that provides individuals with a safe space to talk about their mental health concerns. Unlike a hotline, a warm line is typically staffed by trained peers, individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges and are there to offer empathy, understanding, and support. Warm lines are designed to provide a listening ear, offer emotional support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources or services if needed. These lines are often used as a preventative measure to help individuals cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or any other mental health issue before it escalates into a crisis. Warm lines can be particularly beneficial for those who may not feel comfortable reaching out for help through traditional mental health services or crisis hotlines.

Click here to find a warmline that serves your county or state.