May is mental health awareness month. It is a time to remind ourselves and others of the serious nature of our mental well-being as well as our physical health. Mental illness can be as devastating as physical illness if not understood and responded to appropriately. 

Many individuals as well as their family members are seriously impacted in negative ways every year. Approximately 20% of all Americans were affected by mental illness in 2021 according to the NIMH. With appropriate treatment, these illnesses can be monitored and maintained, but often they go untreated or under-treated with frequently devastating results.

It is vital that individuals with mental illness as well as their families are well informed about the diseases as well as their as their symptoms and resources for treatment. It is equally important that there is no stigma around mental illness. Therefore, awareness and education about mental illness serve the purposes of informing and supporting those experiencing mental illness and informing the public.

During the month of May, we of Saint John’s will be supporting what is known as Mental Health Awareness Month. We will hand out green ribbons to wear and personalized writing pens with a link to resources.

References:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

https://nami.org/home