Mental wellbeing and dependency issues touch everyone. This year, one in four Americans will go through a diagnosable mental illness — disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and addiction. Unfortunately, just one in three of those people will seek out the therapy and support that they need, risking their physical well being and quality of life.
May is Mental Health Month, a special yearly commemoration that started more than 60 years back to raise understanding of mental health issues and mental wellness for all. It’s an ideal time for us to reflect on how far we have come since the first Mental Health Month was celebrated and look toward tomorrow.
Without a doubt, mental health care treatment has changed drastically in the last six decades. Where a mental health disorder was once a hopeless predicament — a source of shame that ensured institutionalization — individuals today can access effective treatments and programs which allow them to get their life back. We now have unprecedented tools to diagnose and address even extreme mental disorders.
Socially, we have come a long way as well. Legislators are certainly more aware of how mental disorder affects our communities, and the important need for robust funding and infrastructure in mental health care. More and more, we’re seeing public figures coming forward to examine their private and familial challenges with many mental health and dependency problems. These kinds of accounts inspire optimism and promote early involvement and therapy.
