In 1948, May officially became Mental Health Month. The purpose of having awareness days like this is to direct people’s attention to matters they might not otherwise think much about. Opening honest discussions and providing education is key.

At Prestige Home Care Agency, we endeavor to reach out to families who struggle when faced with a loved one’s mental illness. Each person deserves happiness and a sense that their life means something. Those with mental illness often have difficulty recognizing that. Or loved ones ignore quirks, hoping they’ll just go away.

But they don’t. There is no magic wand that brushes away anxiety and depression, for example, two of the most common mental health ailments.

Mental Health By the Numbers

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that one in five adults experiences the effects of mental health each year. Of those people, over half have a mental illness by the age of 14, and ¾ by the time they reach 24. It gives pause for reflection. Many mental illnesses are hidden behind a façade, and some people aren’t even aware they have one (or more) influencing their thoughts and actions.

More than Enough

The theme for the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month is “More Than Enough.” The message is one of inclusivity. For too long, mental health dialogue has remained in the shadows. There is a stigma and negative stereotypes about psychological health. Because of this, many remain silent for fear of ridicule. There is also pride involved, i.e., not wanting to admit a perceived weakness.

Believe it or not, our professionals at Prestige see this hesitation with entire family circles. Family gatherings rarely include any mention of someone diagnosed. It’s an uncomfortable discussion.

Why do Mental Health Conditions Develop?

No matter when a problem arises, it usually has a trace cause. There is a list of root factors that may contribute to mental health conditions. If you have more than one of these, your propensity increases.

• Genetics (the family tree): The genes you get from your family line map out your development, and that includes your brain. If several people in your family have mental health problems, you may experience similar disorders. Of course, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, so don’t panic. Just remain aware.
• Healthy Living: It may sound corny, but all the advice moms give about eating, sleeping, and exercising is spot-on. No one part of your body is separate from the others. So, what benefits one benefits the whole. If you should show signs of mental health struggles, your lifestyle may well become an excellent coping strategy.
• Trauma: The word “trauma” is an umbrella of sorts that covers a lot of mental territory. Racism causes trauma, being bullied causes trauma, and car accidents cause trauma, just to name a few. The way each person responds to these situations differs. Some, however, will find “hot buttons” set them off (also called triggers), resulting in unexpected emotional kickbacks.

Getting Help

No one learns about all the ins and outs of mental health overnight. Nonetheless, some of us wrangle with our loved one’s illness and find ourselves wanting. That’s where agencies like Prestige can step in with information and much-needed extra hands. We will learn about your unique situation and create personalized care plans that make sense.

If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us in three ways:

Our online Contact FORM

Email: info@prestigehca.com

Telephone: 215-677-9811