2022 Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During the month of May, Pepperdine joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health and provide resources for you and your loved ones.
Recognize early signs of issues
Mental health problems are common and can affect anyone. Many issues can be resolved with help, so it’s important to seek help right away if you think something might be wrong. Warning signs can be an early indicator of a potential problem:
- Change in sleeping habits;
- Lack of energy;
- An increase in smoking, drinking, or drug use;
- Severe mood swings;
- Unexplained aches and pains;
- Feeling unusually confused or upset;
- Inability to complete normal daily tasks;
- If you or a loved one experiences any of these behaviors, seek help from a mental health professional to discuss it further. Many people experience mental health problems throughout their lives; it’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but it is important to seek help in order to address any issues.
Are you suffering silently, feeling stressed, anxious, or upset?
- You are not alone. Thousands of people are experiencing these feelings, too, and are reaching out to get the help they need to improve their emotional well-being and feel more connected and energized to go ahead with their lives.
- Speak up. Tell others about your story and how you are feeling. It takes courage, but it’s the first step to getting the help you need to feel better.
Do you know someone who is struggling?
- Ignoring that person, or telling them to snap out of it, just calm down, that things will be better in the morning, or that therapy is for weak people, can make matters worse for someone who is struggling.
- Show support. It’s not always easy to find the right words, but the key is to acknowledge them without judgment.
- Talking to a qualified counselor, who can provide confidential support for emotional, family, and work issues can make all the difference for you or a loved one to regain better well-being.
Resources for anyone:
- If you're not sure if you're depressed, or how depressed you may be, take the first step and understand where you're at.