May is Mental Health Awareness Month

According to 2024 statistics, more than 50 million Americans experience mental illness each year. This is over 20% of the American adult population. Within this realm, 5% of US adults have a serious mental health challenge, such as schizophrenia. The most common mental illness is anxiety disorder, with about 1 in 5 adults enduring anxiety each year.

As of 2024, depression is the second-most common mental health disorder in the United States. It is usually categorized by a sad mood, with a lack of enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities, change in sleep and/or appetite, loss of energy, fatigue, low self-esteem, and possibly even thoughts of death. About 8.3% of adults experience depression in a given year, with 16.8% of New York State adults being impacted.

We all experience stress in our work and personal lives. But what is the difference between stress and anxiety? Typically, stress is an emotion that is triggered due to external circumstances. For example, conflict with a spouse or too much mandated overtime. Stress is considered to be more short-term and is rectified when the stressor is resolved.

There is a stigma associated with mental illness that claims those who are diagnosed with certain disorders are considered to be violent individuals. It’s actually true that those with disorders are not more aggressive than the rest of the population and tend to be the victims of violent acts rather than the aggressors. About 3 to 5% of violent acts are performed by those with a serious mental illness.

Did you know that exercise is great for us beyond our physical health? Engaging in exercise has also proven to be effective for improvements in our moods, specifically in reducing anxiety and depression. Exercise also improves our sleep, increases our energy, and improves our cardiovascular health.

Exercise the best way you know how! You can walk, run, jog, swim, bike, dance – whatever fits you and your needs

Prevention programs are quite effective! Prevention involves providing education, information, support, coping opportunities, etc. to those who have not yet been diagnosed with a mental illness. With prevention exposure, an individual’s mental wellbeing can increase; a person typically experiences a higher quality of life overall as a result.

Language matters! Especially in reducing stigma associated with mental health. The main way to increase your repertoire of appropriate language surrounding mental health is using person-centered language, which focuses on the individual rather than the disorder. Some examples:

“A person with schizophrenia” rather than “a schizophrenic”

Died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide”

“An individual with an alcohol disorder” rather than “an alcoholic