By Lynn SHER

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Mental Health America began this tradition in 1949 (though initially it started as Mental Health Week) to educate Americans about mental illness and mental health treatments.

For the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) this year’s theme is “More Than Enough.” The focus is that no matter a person’s history, heritage, socio-economic class, ability or diagnosis, s/he matters, is important and deserves to exist – as s/he is.

Many suffering from mental illness often feel just the opposite, often feeling ostracized from family and society.

Anne Gold of NAMI said, “Although low self-esteem is not categorized as a mental health condition in itself, there are clear links between the way we feel about ourselves and our overall mental and emotional well-being.”

Glendale Police Dept. is partnering with NAMI to host some local events.

“We are partnering up with NAMI to help raise funds for their organization,” said GPD Community Service Officer Amy Tate.

NAMI helps not just the one struggling with mental health issues but the families of those affected by mental illness.

“It’s such a wonderful non-profit that we refer a lot of people to once their loved one has been placed on an evaluation hold,” said Tate. “Often the family is left heartbroken and they don’t know where to turn – NAMI is there to offer support.”

According to The National Library of Medicine, “46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life.” Some examples of these diagnoses are: depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, ADHD [Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder] and ADD [Attention Deficit Disorder], borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and body dysmorphia disorder. A complete list can be found at https://mhanational.org/conditions/view-all.

While those in the grips of mental illness often experience intense waves of hopelessness, highly effect treatments are available. NAMI California stated, “Between 70% and 90% of individuals have a significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments.” Self-care is also emphasized as essential in the recovery process.

The National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.” This can include activities such as prioritizing sleep, eating healthful foods, staying hydrated, staying connected to friends and family, getting enough exercise and wellness practices like meditation.

There is help available. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services provides free mental health, suicide prevention and substance abuse treatment. It has multiple locations in the Los Angeles area. The website for NAMI has a plethora of information about things like warning signs and symptoms of mental illness and where to find support groups. NAMI also has its own helpline that people can call or email. Visit www.cvweekly.com/NEWS for a list of these resources.

In his Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month 2023, President Joe Biden emphasized, “We all have a role to play in ending the stigma around mental health issues. It starts by showing compassion, so everyone feels free to ask for help.” Reminding all that it’s okay to not be okay and for those who aren’t okay there are resources. Treating mental health should carry no more weight than attending to one’s physical health.

President Biden continued, “I call upon citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations and other groups to join in activities and take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities and our nation.”

Resources for Help and Further Information

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET, call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email helpline@nami.org

NAMI California: https://namica.org/

The 2023 Mental Health Month Outreach Toolkit
https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/MHM/Toolkit-2023/2023-MHM-Toolkit-Images-Separate.pdf

Depression and Anxiety: How to Identify and Treat Coexisting Symptoms:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/depression-and-anxiety

Caring for Your Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

Mental Health America: All Conditions
https://mhanational.org/conditions/view-all