The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month. Good mental health, much like good physical health, is important at every stage of life.

What is mental health?
Mental health is overall emotional well being in the absense of mental illness.

Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. It can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.

Mental Illness is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. 

Mental illness cannot be overcome through will-power and is not related to a person’s character or intelligence. Mental illness usually strikes individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

If signs of stress or feelings of being overwhelmed persist, seek professional help. For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications and other mental health-related services visit the Mental Health America website.

For an on-line tutorial on managing stress, click here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.

If you are dealing with a mental health issue, an improved quality
of life for you and your loved ones can be a reality. You don’t have to suffer.

The good news about mental illness is that recovery truly is possible.

Bonnie and Tanya