May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an event that has been observed in the United States since 1949. Its purpose is to educate the public about mental health and its impact on individuals, families, and communities; reduce the stigma that’s often attached with mental health issues and promote greater understanding; and improve access to quality care for everyone who needs assistance.
Mental Health Awareness Month was established by an organization called Mental Health America, which was known at the time as the National Association for Mental Health. The National Mental Health Act was signed in 1946, leading to the establishment of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).
The Importance Of Recognizing Good Mental Health
Good mental health is crucial because it impacts all aspects of an individual’s life, including each person’s ability to cope with stress, build healthy relationships, and contribute to their community. A strong mental health foundation enables individuals to think clearly, learn effectively, and make sound decisions. Further, good mental health is essential for overall wellbeing and can even help to reduce some physical health issues.
Promoting good mental health is important for providing individuals with the tools they need to manage stress, adversity, and challenges in a healthy way. A positive mental state also fosters stronger and more meaningful connections with others that can lead by promoting empathy and understanding.
What To Look For
Signs of mental health issues can manifest in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- Mood and Emotional Changes, that can include persistent sadness and/or depression; excessive anxiety and worry; strong feelings of anger, frustration, or being easily agitated; and/or rapid shifts in emotions.
- Behavioral Changes, that might include avoiding friends, family, and social interactions; difficulty sleeping, sleeping excessively, or poor sleep quality; significant changes in eating patterns, increased or decreased; and/or neglecting basic personal hygiene and appearance.
- Cognitive Changes, that could lead to struggling with focus, paying attention, or remembering; having difficulty thinking clearly, making sense of things, or expressing thoughts in a meaningful way; being frequently confused; and/or having strange or fixed beliefs about reality or experiencing delusions.
- Physical Changes, including unexplained aches, pains, or other physical symptoms; regularly feeling tired or exhausted even after adequate rest; and/or being more sensitive to sights, sounds, and other sensory inputs.
Asking For Help
Mental health issues, or even just a temporary breakdown in good mental health, is regularly associated with negative stereotypes. Because of this, many people may not reach out for help due to feeling ashamed or embarrassed that they “can’t keep it together,” and fear of being judged or ostracized by others for being “unstable” or “weak.”
Battling these negative thoughts is one of the messages Mental Health Awareness Month is striving to promote. To the people who need help, reaching out for assistance is not a sign of weakness; it’s actually a bold and thoughtful step forward. For others, it’s an opportunity to inform and educate, to remove the stigma associated with mental health, and to create a more nurturing environment where someone asking for help can get the help they need, without fear of negative reactions.
Other Barriers To Overcome
Many people with mental health issues may not realize they have a problem and downplay their struggles because they believe they can manage their problems on their own. Some have financial constraints, a lack of insurance, or limited access to qualified mental health professionals. Some may have trepidation about discussing their concerns with others or feel uncomfortable about what they perceive they may be asked to do to get back to good mental health. Cultural ideologies may also play a role.
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) offers a variety of mental health services, knowing that changes to mental health and stability can be the result of trauma, poverty, chronic stress, and other challenges posed by cultural adjustment, homelessness, and/or exposure to violence.
NVFS offers mental health services through our Multicultural Center for Trauma Recovery. Additional services and referrals are also available through Youth Initiatives and Healthy Families programs.
Northern Virginia Health Foundation
The services that NVFS can provide are possible through contributions from caring citizens and organizations. One strong supporter and longstanding ally of the NVFS Multicultural Center for Trauma Recovery has been the Northern Virginia Health Foundation.
The Northern Virginia Health Foundation was established in 2005 and is dedicated to improving the health and health care of residents of Northern Virginia, with a particular emphasis on the health needs of the uninsured. They make strategic grants to nonprofit organizations, such as NVFS, that address the health care needs or residents of Northern Virginia, with a particular emphasis on those who live in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
NVFS’ Multicultural Center for Trauma Recovery (MC) utilizes vital funding for trauma-informed mental health, case management, and legal services to individuals who face significant health disparities. These families and individuals are often constrained by cultural and linguistic barriers, financial issues, and lack of insurance. The MC offers an integrated service model where mental health counselors, social workers, and attorneys collaborate to meet clients’ interconnected needs.
Get In Touch
Contact NVFS at 571.748.2500 for assistance or reach out by email at info@nvfs.org.
For those who would like to join the Northern Virginia Health Foundation in supporting NVFS’ mission to help make a difference in the lives of others, please visit our donation page.