Every year, the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is the month designated to raise awareness, fight the stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. There are up to 18.1% of Americans suffer from depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

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As we take care of business and other people, let’s not forget to check in with ourselves. We should endeavor to stop and check our mental health status more regularly. Activities during the awareness month bring to the forefront the realities of living with these conditions and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness.

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Here are some important figures we should  keep in mind

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 ex perience a mental health disorder each year.
• 50% of all life-time mental ill- ness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.

Ten things we can do for our mental health

1. Value yourself: Treat yourself with kindness and respect and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.
2. Take care of your body: Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to: Eat nutritious meals Avoid smoking and vaping, Drink plenty of water, Exercise, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods, and Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in college students.
3. Surround yourself with good people: People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support net- work. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.
4. Give yourself: Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You’ll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need — and it’s a great way to meet new people.
5. Learn how to deal with stress: Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.
6. Quiet your mind: Try meditating, Mindfulness and/ or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.

7. Set realistic goals: Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally, and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don’t over-schedule. You’ll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal.

8. Break up the monotony: Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.

9. Avoid alcohol and other drugs: Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to “self-medicate” but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.

10. Get help when you need it: Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.

Source: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing.