May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental Health Matters
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Observed each May since 1949, it has never been more important than now to recognize that mental health is an essential component to one’s overall health and wellbeing, and that mental illnesses are common and treatable. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental illnesses are commonplace, with nearly one in five adults in America living with a serious mental illness.
Everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. After all, just a few months ago, none of us had any idea that all our worlds would be upended by the coronavirus, and that worry, isolation, loneliness, depression and anxiety would become collective experiences shared by literally everyone.
Mental Health Awareness Month provides a timely reminder that mental health is essential and that those living with mental health issues are deserving of care, understanding, compassion, and pathways to hope, healing, recovery, and fulfillment.
It’s a time when people should learn the symptoms of mental health conditions and to know when and how to get help if they need it. One of the greatest obstacles to people seeking help, however, is the stigma and discrimination that too often surround mental illness. Support for mental health awareness and to end the stigma of mental illness is signified by a green ribbon.
Wear a green ribbon! Take a pledge to end the stigma! Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Mental Health Matters.
Explore the following Mental Health resources available to students:
Thaddeus Stevens College Counseling Services
View counseling resources or request an appointment with a campus counselor on the MyStevens Counseling Services Page.
YOU@TSCT
The YOU@TSCT portal is a 24/7, confidential resource that provides personalized content centered on well-being and student success. Access YOU@TSCT by clicking here.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
2021 Theme: “You Are Not Alone.” Learn more by clicking here.
Mental Health America- #Tools2Thrive
Take a mental health screen at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and private way for someone to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems. Also available at the site is the 2021 Tools 2 Thrive toolkit that provides practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase their resiliency.