National Public Health Week: Thursday
Today’s National Public Health Week theme is mental health!
Mental health is important at every stage of life. It continuously affects how we think, feel and act. It also plays an important role in our physical and social well-being. In the U.S. alone, millions of Americans are affected by mental illness. Anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and depression are some of the most common. In fact, one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Cases of mental illness have recently risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder have increased.
Take action to make an impact on your community’s mental health and well-being. Volunteer for a local mental health organization. Attend events, such as walks and fundraisers, that support the mental health movement. Ask Congress and local politicians to prioritize making mental health services available. Pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth and find out more about the connection between key policy issues and mental health. Learn about suicide prevention and intervention by joining the National Alliance on Mental Illness or APHA’s Mental Health Section. Use resources and toolkits to explore how to engage in conversations where mental health is viewed negatively. Collaborate with members of your community to locally shift policies and practices toward improving mental health conditions.
If you or someone you know need mental health services, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. You can also call, text, or chat at 988 to connect with a trained counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
To help in improving your mental health, Practicing mindfulness, eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in physical exercise, and getting a good night’s rest are proven actions you can take. However, improving mental health for both ourselves and our communities requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Communities need to continue to expand access to health services and invest in mental health.