How To Create Awareness About Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Just like taking care of our physical health gives us the ability to move and play, taking care of our mental health gives us the ability to handle challenges that come our way. We can all do things to raise awareness, and what is most important is that we try.

What is mental health awareness all about?

From anxiety and depression to OCD and schizophrenia, mental health touches each of us in some way. Mental health issues are also a significant contributor to suicide, which claims the lives of nearly 50,000 people per year in the United States alone.

By definition, "awareness" means having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. To start raising mental health awareness, you must first consider what mental health means to you and those around you. This first step may seem impossible while a person practices social distancing. However, people can still raise awareness about mental health virtually.

Anything you can do to raise awareness for mental health is a significant contribution. According to Mental Health America (MHA), one in five people will experience mental illness during their lifetime. Even with mental illness impacting so many people, there is still a lot of stigma attached to seeking help or talking about mental health issues. Mental health awareness campaigns are all about destigmatizing mental health issues and starting productive dialogues on mental health issues. Change only happens when people take action, and raising mental health awareness is an important action that almost everyone can take.

How to get involved with mental health awareness

Even with physical distancing, there are ways to get involved and raise awareness for mental health conditions Here are a few examples:

Take a free mental health screening. You can visit MHAscreening.org and take a mental health screening. Afterward, you can share that you "took a checkup from the neck up," and you can encourage others to do the same.
Share information locally. Ask wellness-oriented places like your local gym, yoga studio, or health food store to share digital resources from the MHA Toolkit. You can also reach out to your personal and professional contacts to encourage them to download and share the MHA toolkit.
Spread messages of hope to those in need. People who are suffering from mental health issues may need to speak with someone who can offer hope during difficult times. To learn how you can participate in spreading messages of hope, check out our Messages of Hope program.
Take time for your mental health. It is important to be aware of your mental health status, too. Be sure to practice self-care and preserve your mental health. Also, know that there are many mental wellness activities one can do at home. You can learn more about these mental wellness activities through our Wellness-At-Home video series.
Commit to being a Mental Health Champion. Mental Health Champions are people who are committed to raising mental health awareness and who take action. Learn more about making our Mental Health Champion pledge here.

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Messages of Hope Postcard Kits

Sign up today and receive a Messages of Hope Postcard Kit with three pre-stamped cards. You can send these cards and messages of hope to people you care about.

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Mental Wellness Activities

Check out our FREE downloadable coloring pages, and practice mental wellness activities with our new Wellness At Home series!

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There's Hope At Aurora

Mental health issues are more common than many people think, and showing support for people with mental health issues can start with raising mental health awareness.

Aurora Behavioral Health System is here to help if you or a loved one is experiencing mental health difficulties, including addiction. Our caring team of professionals takes a holistic approach and provides psychiatric services and mental health programs for teens and adults. For more information or to schedule a free and confidential mental health assessment, please call our 24/7 admissions line at (877) 870-7012.