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The Importance of Mental Health Support
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), nearly ¼ of adults in the United States are affected by mental health, whether it be anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others (2017). This means that over 44 million people in the US suffer from a mental health issue (Mental Health America, n.d.).
There are social stigmas surrounding mental health, including the misunderstanding that people who suffer from mental health issues are more likely to be violent or institutionalized.
The truth is mental health issues affect people of all ages and are no different than any other issues that we face. In fact, we all suffer from some form of mental health issue at some point in our life. Having discussions and open communication about mental health can provide people with proper support.
Ashely Santangelo (2018) discusses her experience with mental health issues, diagnoses, and eventual support. I was inspired by her story, and it motivated me to write this article. The holiday season can be a particular trigger for those suffering from mental health issues, which made me feel this is an appropriate time to write about this.
