Although Mental Health Awareness Month has officially ended, the issue has certainly not. On the heels of the recent high-profile deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain is the release of an alarming report by the CDC. According to this report, suicide rates have increased dramatically in the U.S. over the last two decades, in many states by as much as 30%. While experts say that this crisis is driven by many factors, including increased access to weapons with which to commit suicide, the importance of mental health awareness cannot be overstated.
Medical professionals are not immune to mental illness either. June began with the social media campaign #CrazySocks4Docs to raise awareness of clinician mental health. Doximity members have written at length about resident wellness and burnout, the stigma of mental illness, and the under-publicized crisis of physician suicide, and they are demanding change.
Mental health activists spent the month of May raising awareness on Twitter and, because mental health is a year-round issue, they are continuing to share stories and resources for healthcare professionals, patients, and parents alike.
They’re shining a light on mental illness in adults and adolescents.
Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (44.7 million in 2016). To find more stats on mental illnesses, visit https://t.co/8YZsIal6PP #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/AvMSYZwTQ3
— Mental Health NIMH (@NIMHgov) May 31, 2018
It takes 8-10 YEARS for adolescents to seek treatment after experiencing symptoms of mental illness. This #DisabilityIsDiversity video is working to destigmatize mental health and help our children get the help they need #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/oNqBO223mz
— Jay Ruderman (@JayRuderman) May 31, 2018
Learn the five signs that may mean someone is in emotional pain and might need help: personality change, agitation, withdrawal, poor self-care, and hopelessness-https://t.co/jtCl7D9Rwx #MentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
— SAMHSA (@samhsagov) May 21, 2018
Sufferers of mental illness share their stories of how they sought help and manage their mental health…
Let’s talk about mental health. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/HKd7OlZ0O3
— Halie (@halieca) May 31, 2018
I’m a day late for #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth but I finally told people in my life today that I’ve been massively struggling w/ anxiety and panic attacks for the last several weeks and whew, it helps just to not be hiding it anymore. It’s okay to not be okay sometimes __
— Chelsea (@Chelskers) June 1, 2018
The greatest decision I ever made was to start antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Don’t be afraid to get help. Being on meds doesn’t make you “crazy”, but it might help you be the best version of yourself and you are ALWAYS worth it. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
— Cat Vukodinovich (@catvuko) June 1, 2018
…including veterans…
As #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth comes to a close. we want to thank our friends at @w_warriorproj who urge you to take care of yourself, and know you’re not alone. Just because May is ending, you can still get involved with their programs at any time. ______ #WoundedWarrior pic.twitter.com/leNVPPpe2N
— Purple Heart Wines (@purpleheartwine) May 31, 2018
…athletes…
"I thought about the former players who had committed suicide. Was that in my future?”
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 21, 2018
After a handful of concussions in his NFL career, @JermichaelF88 felt lost in retirement.
His story on how he recovered.#MentalHealthAwarenessMonthhttps://t.co/TtzxGmxHaG
…and high-profile celebrities, who are using their influence to raise awareness.
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth is coming to an end but the conversation doesn't have to. Continuing to speak up and raise awareness destigmatizes #mentalhealth and encourages other to seek help if they need it.
— Jay Ruderman (@JayRuderman) May 30, 2018
Here's the @RudermanFdn video on @TheRock's experience. pic.twitter.com/y0D8guAIlA
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth is coming to a close but if the conversation keeps going we will destigmatize mental health and make it easier for others to speak up and get the help they need.
— Ruderman Family Fdn (@RudermanFdn) May 30, 2018
Here's our video on @ddlovato and her experience with mental illness. pic.twitter.com/oEhtiQOAVR
They’re sharing tips for people interacting with sufferers of mental illness…
This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth and always, double check on all of your friends and family and let them know you are always free to talk and willing to help. Look out for red flags. You never know how much a simple conversation can help someone, or even save their life.
— Kait (@kaitlynmcmahon_) June 5, 2018
When interacting with people with mental illness - speak less, listen more.#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters https://t.co/OVItqIWltZ
— fmh_gh (@fmh_gh) May 31, 2018
The worst thing you can do to a person with an invisible illness is make them feel like they need to prove how sick they are.#SickNotWeak #EndTheStigma #BipolarStrong #mentalillness #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #Disability #disabled #PTSD #bipolar #ocd #BPD pic.twitter.com/MEd8QrlFiM
— HI - Function (@hifunctionorg) May 27, 2018
…as well as resources for the people who may be suffering.
To wrap up #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we wanted to remind everyone that no matter what you're going through, you're not alone. Next time mental health struggles have you feeling isolated, try these tips. https://t.co/cnHlbKwGVo pic.twitter.com/RB2Ro3nEUo
— Pacifica (@ThinkPacifica) May 31, 2018
7 Strategies for Dealing with a Depressive Episode #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth https://t.co/julgiJxDrE pic.twitter.com/ao9V0LPmaJ
— Healthline (@Healthline) June 1, 2018
Healthcare professionals are weighing in on mental health within their own community…
You can’t be what you can’t see. Are we serving as a good example to the next generation of surgeons? #medstudent @lehoef shares her perspective on #Resilience & #wellness on the @WomenSurgeons #AWSblog #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth https://t.co/EVCacY3TxW
— Dr Minerva (@minervies) May 31, 2018
We could all use a #mentalhealth day from time to time, including #psychologists & #medical providers. How would you feel if your #therapist or #MD said they're taking a #selfcare or MH day?#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #wellness #KeepTalkingMH #4mind4body https://t.co/1z2OjiIP8h
— Dr. Adrienne Meier (@DrAdrienneMeier) May 31, 2018
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth may be over, but the work of #AACOM's @COSGP to understand and support #mentalhealth at colleges of #osteopathic medicine is not. Learn about initiatives highlighting the importance of well-being when you read Inside OME: https://t.co/Ppc0Rqx5ep @NBOME pic.twitter.com/eUVXFykPpS
— AACOM (@AACOMmunities) June 1, 2018
…as well as offering suggestions for colleagues on how to help patients.
Personal account of what it’s like to hear voices, and what #healthcare professionals can do to help.@chrisdjtaylor @rb_mcr @verbajim @woodylisa may interest you https://t.co/iKiz2JK12N #psychosis #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMonth pic.twitter.com/yq6JKILUYV
— Judith Johnson (@DrJTJohnson) June 4, 2018
And if you are struggling, here are some reminders that you are not alone.
there is nothing wrong with you if you struggle with mental health issues. you are not weird. you are not crazy. you are not your illness. you are not alone in this. people care. it’s not weak to speak. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #SuicidePrevention
— Glad You Stayed (@gladyoustayed) June 4, 2018
"We share in the certainty that people labeled with mental illness are first and above all, human beings. Our lives are precious and are of infinite value." - Patricia Deegan #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #commonground #recovery
— NewBridgeMedicalCtr (@NewBridgeMedCtr) May 30, 2018
To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 1–800–273-TALK (8255).
Do you have additional resources for colleagues? Please share in the comments below.
