May is the month dedicated to mental health awareness. The pandemic has had a negative effect on the mental health of our nation. As both adults and children are suffering, more light has been shed on this topic. Before the pandemic, about 20% of adults experienced a mental illness. Now, with the emotional toll of the pandemic and the lack of adequate mental health resources, close to 70% of adults are reporting problems with anxiety and depression. About 20% of children have a mental health condition too. However, nearly two-thirds of them get little to no help. The country has seen a steady increase in deaths from drug overdoses and an increase in alcohol abuse, as well.
What happens if you do not treat a mental health condition? For both adults and children, it affects your emotions and behaviors. Work or school performance drops off. Your relationships with family or friends or partners can become strained. Usually, it those that are closest to you who notice the problems first.
Mental health problems affect adults and children differently and the sources of the stressors are different. Below are only some of the signs for each group:
Adults
- Feeling sad or down, depressed
- Feeling anxious or worried
- Emotional outbursts
- Poor work performance
- Sleep problems
Children
- Drop in school performance
- Constant worry or anxiety
- Refusal to go to school
- Disobedience or aggression
- Depression or sadness
Once the signs are recognized, accepting that there is a problem and seeking help are so important in getting better. While “it’s okay to not be okay” addresses the stigma of having mental health concerns, it is not a good choice to not seek help. Treatment, including medications and/or therapy, is a huge step in getting better. You will also likely gain a better understanding of what is happening to you.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, please call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
In a follow-up article, the types of common mental illnesses and treatments will be discussed.