Mental health awareness : The importance of conversation

It is hard to have a conversation about health and wellbeing without including mental health. In the United States, almost one out of every five adults suffers from a mental illness or health condition. That's almost 52 million people.

However, mental health is more than just the presence or absence of a mental disorder. All areas of our lives have an impact on our well-being, which in turn influences how we live our lives, work, and spend time with our loved ones. The conversation is more important than ever. In 2021, the year's overarching sentiment was one of stagnation. Better Up's research discovered that while more than 55% of workers were not mentally unwell, they were also not thriving. 

As the epidemic has pushed physical health to the forefront in an unprecedented degree, it is important to consider the other major components of well-being. The discourse about mental health awareness has never been more public, widespread, or vital. After all, increasing awareness is an important step toward learning how to care for your mental health.

In this post, you'll learn about mental health awareness and how it may benefit your personal and professional lives. 

What is mental health awareness?

So, what does mental health awareness entail, and how can you promote it?

Mental health awareness is a continuous endeavor to decrease stigma associated with mental illness and mental health disorders via the sharing of personal experiences.

People frequently suffer in silence as a result of misconceptions regarding mental health and mental fitness. Mental health awareness is an important social movement that aims to enhance understanding and access to healthcare.

How might raising mental health awareness help?

Mental health awareness is essential for supporting mental health care and behavioral health. It is a vital and essential conversation for transitioning to a more proactive approach of mental health.

Right now, we only fill our tanks when they say "empty." Developing our awareness allows us to detect the signs and symptoms of feeling "off" — just as we do with physical disease.

Here are four key advantages of mental health awareness:

Three methods to raise mental health awareness

How can anyone, particularly non-clinicians, help raise mental health awareness? A large part of it is learning to openly discuss and share mental health concerns.

When we keep quiet about mental health and fitness, we allow stigma to persist. Silence makes it more difficult for people to prioritize their own mental health.

Here are a few strategies to raise mental health awareness in your community.

Speak up for yourself.

What is the frequency of mental health days taken by individuals? How frequently do you witness them being truthful about it? A lot of us believe that our physical health comes before our mental health.

When we're sick, we take a day off, but not when we're worn out or emotionally depleted. Tell your colleagues, up front, that you're taking a break for your mental health the next time you take one.

Engaging in self-advocacy for mental health benefits you and encourages others to follow suit. You'll probably encourage other people to follow suit.

Mental health awareness : The importance of conversation