For the past 65 years, the month of May has marked the time to put a spotlight on mental health. It can be easy to overlook mental health issues, as some can be uncomfortable to talk about or acknowledge, but it is essential to pay attention to ourselves and those we care about to ensure that people get the help they need, when they need it most. Mental health disorders can impact every area of life, from jobs to relationships with friends and family, self-esteem and more.
According to Mental Health America (MHA), there are steps you can take to assess a person's mental state. As noted on an infographic on the organization's website, during a given year, one of every five Americans may have a mental health issue that is diagnosable. Obtaining proper screening is a key step in determining whether an individual is being affected by a specific disorder.
How is your mental health doing?
To help promote mental health and foster awareness, MHA is emphasizing the importance of becoming more informed about the state of your mental health by undergoing proper screening to help catch problems before they get out of control. The organization's website describes the four primary stages of mental health conditions, which it refers to as B4Stage4, in an effort to draw attention to issues before they reach the critical fourth stage. These stages range from mild signs of trouble to persistent issues.
During the first stage, an individual may have a sense of something being amiss, but can still maintain a normal level of functioning. In the next stage, the symptoms will get worse and begin to interfere with daily life activities, potentially affecting work and personal relationships. At this second stage, it is clear that things are not as they should be. The third stage can entail a feeling of losing control and during this time the affected individual may experience major disruptions in their life. During stage four, things reach a critical point in which the symptoms have been present for an extended period of time and have possibly pushed the person into a serious crisis. At this stage, the individual may need to be hospitalized or could end up unemployed or even in prison.
Awareness and treatment can help
One way to combat mental illness is to know the warning signs. If you or someone you love has been experiencing symptoms like worrying too much, prolonged feelings of sadness or low mood, suicidal thoughts and/or excessive use of drugs or alcohol, it could be the sign of a larger issue. Appropriate screening and awareness can help prevent disorders from getting worse by identifying the problem and seeking appropriate help ahead of time.
Whether you're feeling great, or haven't been feeling like yourself, paying attention to your mental state throughout your life is an essential part of maintaining good overall health. An awareness of mental health allows you to recognize signs that something may be wrong, so you can take steps to address the issue.
Founded 25 years ago by Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, Fairwinds Treatment Centers in Florida lead the way in helping those affected by mental health disorders, from eating disorders to substance abuse. Using a dual diagnosis approach, our team of health professionals uses a combination therapeutic counseling and clinical treatment to help resolve substance abuse and mental health disorders by addressing the root cause. A reputable treatment center can help individuals struggling with substance abuse and other mental health issues recover and lead healthy lives. Contact Fairwinds Treatment Center today to learn more about our programs.
