Eric B. Chandler Health Center

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Mental Health Facts

  • 1 in 5 Adults have a mental health condition. That's over 40 million Americans; more than the populations of New York and Florida combined.
  • Youth mental health is worsening. Rates of youth with severe depression increased from 5.9% in 2012 to 8.2% in 2015. Even with severe depression, 76% of youth are left with no or insufficient treatment
  • 9.6 million experience suicidal ideation
  • Only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment

Purpose of Mental Health Month:

  • To raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
  • Focus is on how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems.
  • Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
  • Recent research is connecting gut health with mental health. So, when it comes to diet and nutrition, it’s all about finding the right balance of nutrients to benefit both the mind and body.
  • So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally. That is why this year’s theme for May is Mental Health Month – Fitness #4Mind4Body – is a call to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health, which can help achieve overall wellness and set you on a path to recovery.

The Good News?

  • Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.
  • A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also help people recover from these conditions.
  • Taking good care of your body is part of a Before Stage Four approach to mental health.

#B4Stage4 means advocating for prevention strategies like screening and integrated health care to address mental health before it gets to the point of crisis. Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and wellbeing, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.

What can you do? Take Action Now

  • Get enough - getting a good night's sleep is important to having enough physical and mental energy to take on daily responsibilities.
  • Manage stress - take time to focus on stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga.
  • Eat healthy
  • Get active
  • Join Mental Health America (MHA) in completing a small task each day during the month of May – Learn more here: www.mentalhealthamerica.net/challenge
  • Look at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your Fitness #4Mind4Body.

Summary

  • 1 in 5 Adults have a mental health condition. That's over 40 million Americans; more than the populations of New York and Florida combined.
  • Youth mental health is worsening. Rates of youth with severe depression increased from 5.9% in 2012 to 8.2% in 2015. Even with severe depression, 76% of youth are left with no or insufficient treatment
  • 9.6 million experience suicidal ideation
  • Only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment