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May is Mental Health Month
May 1, 2007
 For more than fifty years, our country has observed May as Mental Health Month to raise awareness about mental illnesses and the importance of mental wellness for all.
Mental illnesses can emerge in anyone at any age: children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Mental illnesses range from chemical dependency and eating disorders, to anxiety, postpartum issues, depression, and much more.
You can help yourself, your family, and friends by knowing some of the warning signs that may indicate problems that warrant help (provided by Wisconsin United for Mental Health):
Undue, prolonged anxiety.
This is an anxiety out of proportion to any identifiable reason or cause. A state of constant tension and fear, fastening upon first one cause and then another is a signal that help is needed.
Prolonged or severe depression.
The "blues" is a natural reaction to life's ups and downs. Depression, however, causes persistent changes in a person's mood, behavior, and feelings. Five or more of the following symptoms indicate a need for professional evaluation: feelings of sadness or irritability; loss of interest in sex and activities once enjoyed; changes in weight or appetite; changes in sleeping patterns; feeling guilty, worthless, or hopeless; inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions; fatigue or loss of energy; restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others; and thoughts of suicide or death.
Abrupt changes in mood or behavior.
Unlike changes a person adopts for self-improvement, these changes reflect serious alterations in a person's normal habits or way of thinking. The exceptionally frugal person, for example, who suddenly begins gambling away large sums of money may be experiencing emotional problems.
Tension-caused physical problems.
Physical complaints that arise from stress range from headaches to nausea to muscle spasms. These symptoms, including pain, are very real; only a physician can determine their origin. Because medical tests may reveal an organic cause, any persistent physical ailment should be checked by a doctor.
Mind your health – There is a growing body of research that shows that mental health and physical well-being go hand in hand.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, good mental health is fundamental to overall health and is essential to personal well-being and the ability to lead a healthy, balanced, and productive life. Mental health problems can impair a person's thinking, feelings, and behavior and can be serious and disabling. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's report on mental health, more than half of all Americans with a severe mental illness fail to seek treatment. Many people do not receive treatment for mental health problems due to a lack of awareness of the problem, fear of stigma, or lack of access to appropriate services. Yet, overall quality of life is greatly improved when a person with a mental health problem gets an early diagnosis and receives appropriate treatment.
United Way and its partners provide a wealth of services in Morris County. Click here for information and referral to counseling and education. Click here for more information about programs supporting healthcare.
Additional resources are available through 2-1-1 First Call for Help and the Morris County Office of Emergency Management.
Other resources from Mental Health America
 PDF Staying Well When You Have A Mental Illness
PDF Managing Life's Challenges
PDF Signs of Depression Checklist
PDF Supporting Family and Friends Who Have a Mental Illness
PDF Taking Care of an Aging Parent
PDF Mind Your Stress-On the Job
PDF Helping Children Grow up Healthy-Mind and Body
PDF Poster
PDF Activity Guide
PDF Vision for Change Petition
PDF Mental Health Month Drop-In Article
PDF Print Public Service Announcements
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