Mental health awareness is a key aspect of preventing and treating mental illness. People with mental health conditions often have to cope with stigma, which can be a deterrent to seeking help. They may have a hard time finding affordable care, or they might be unable to find employment. In some cases, they might be in isolation and struggle to make friends.
Fortunately, there are some signs of progress. There is growing acknowledgement that mental wellness is an important part of overall health. Younger generations are more open about their own struggles, especially on social media. There is also a move toward teaching about mental health in schools. Despite these positive trends, we still have a long way to go.
People with mental illnesses are not only in your family, but they may live next door or teach your children, work in your office or sit in the pews of your church. Yet only half of those with mental disorders receive treatment, and they suffer from poorer health outcomes than the general population.
Many factors contribute to a person’s ability or unwillingness to seek help, including the perception that help is not available, fear of societal scorn, and lack of knowledge about mental health conditions. Research shows that reducing stigma and providing education can promote help-seeking behavior. In fact, one study showed that students with higher levels of mental health awareness had lower stigma attitudes than those who did not.