May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Research shows that mental illnesses are common in the United States, affecting tens of millions of people each year.
According to the CDC,
- More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness.
- Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
- About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Estimates suggest that only half of the population with mental illnesses receive treatment. A healthy mind is an essential part of a person’s overall well-being. Mental health is necessary to maintain fulfilling relationships with others, adapt to change, cope with life’s daily challenges, and participate in health-promoting behaviors.
People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, and they can often occur at the same time. Mental illnesses can occur over a short period or be episodic. This means that mental illness comes and goes with discrete beginnings and ends. Mental illness can also be chronic.
Having mental health issues is NOT YOUR FAULT! Issues with mental health can be caused by,
- Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as trauma or history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
- Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, cancer, or diabetes
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain
- Having feelings of loneliness or isolation
South Dakota Urban Indian Health is committed to helping our relatives take care of their mental health by raising awareness at both clinic locations today with mental health resources, t-shirt giveaways, and support beads!
We’re celebrating this year’s “Be Kind to Your Mind” Mental Health Awareness Month theme all month so if you have been considering seeking out help, now’s the perfect time to reach out! We have an incredible team of Behavioral Health counselors at both locations.
Give us a call to get on the schedule today!
Pierre: 605.224.8841
Sioux Falls: 605.339.0420
