Mental Health Awareness Month is slowing approaching and with the senseless killing of an innocent elderly man and suicide of another had my heart heavy. Mental Health Awareness is observed in the U.S. in May since 1949. Started by the Mental Health America organization they begin putting out different themed related toolkits. These toolkits list the risks that certain behaviors present-especially young adults-to help detect early warning signs and also provide prevention and early intervention. According to MentalHealth.gov www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health/the definition for mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is very important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Mental health is that mindset we promote when we get up in the mornings and start our daily routine. This frame of mind not only comes from what we have been taught from our families growing up but genetics, environment, social status, and educational background also plays a role. Traumatic incidents in our lives can affect us as well especially if that trauma happens at a very young age. Even with the strongest family support the way an individual reacts to such emotional mishaps can interfere with our well-being. Hollywood gives us prime example of how mental health can disrupt anyone in their path by the slightest memory, comment, suggestion, recollection, or visualization, causing unstable behavior by that person. Mental stability is not something we really think about when we are going about our hectic day, but we do tend to comment on those who tend to act a bit different then what is considered normal. We as a society are quick to make comments like “Are you crazy, Are you psycho, Are you on meds,” without even thinking about the repercussions that may follow. Being of sane body, spirit, and mind doesn’t just happen, it is a process that is continuously being worked on for maximum achievement. Young people work towards this stability and living in a society with so much negative stimuli makes the attempt harder. Bullying, name calling, social media, drugs, drug abuse, teen drinking, date rape, and a slew of everything else negative. We won’t even touch on all the chemical additives and bi-products that are in the food today that alter our chain of thinking and rationalization affecting our behaviors. Healthy eating is so prominent but honestly who can afford it. Fast food is cheaper but it does terrible things to our mind, body and I am sure the soul is suffering too. Mental health is so important but yet we do not take the time to promote it. The next time you see someone doing something a little irrational, take time and think for a moment what that person may be going through or is dealing with in their lives. Take time and tell someone something positive and boost their morale or even smile while in line at the grocery store, you never know just how much it can do to a person’s spirit. |