World Mental Health Week + Resources
During the first week in October each year, thousands of people come together for one reason, and that is mental health awareness. But what is mental health really described as? Well, according to MentalHealth.gov, it is, “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”
So, it is clearly a priority to treat, right? Not so much. There is still an inadequate treatment gap. According to the World Federation on Mental Health, any kind of access to mental health services in middle and low-income companies is nearly impossible, and with approximately 75%-95% of those living with mental disorders, they are not getting the treatment that they so need and deserve.
I can personally attest to this a little bit myself. As a freelancer and a single mom, I am certainly not rich by any means. My insurance is not the best, and while I do have a great psychiatrist, I only get to talk to him once about every six months, which isn’t totally ideal, especially when my OCD is really bothering me and I need someone to talk to. Finding a therapist that I can keep is a bit hard. My last therapist told me it was better if I saw someone else.
It is not just like a snap of fingers and I can have a therapist now. I mean, I definitely could if I had the money. But being on the insurance that I am, it is somewhat hard. I have to call and get on waiting lists, and then hope for the best when I have my first appointment with them. There aren’t a terrible many therapists around where I live, either. Although, while writing this I do have to call to find one somewhere. I’ve been lackadaisical about that.
IF YOU WANT TO URGE CONGRESS TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY, CLICK HERE TO SIGN A PETITION!
As you all know, I live with mental illnesses, MDD, OCD, and GAD. I’m certainly not ashamed of any of them. I used to be. I definitely thought I had to be ashamed of them, and to keep myself hidden in the dark about them. However, I am not anymore. There is still stigma surrounding mental illness, and we all have to work hard to help smash it. That is our goal here at MMH – To smash the stigma surrounding maternal mental health.
So let’s start smashing the stigma! I’ve linked a ton resources below, as well as Get involved, like us! Even if it is just sharing something on your social media, you don’t know how far and wide that little action can reach!
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
World Federation For Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
CRISIS LINES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
am I missing resources? Please link in the comments and I will add it!
Thank you for these awesome resources and being so open about your mental health. This is so helpful! As a mother, I know that mental health not only affects me but my crew as well. Mothers have to deal with so much and sometimes feel inadequate. Reaching out can be exactly what someone needs but being able to get to those resources may be difficult.
This is such a good list of ways people can access tools and resources! This is such an important topic and I will be saving this as a place to direct people to! Thanks!
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I am sorry to hear you don’t get to speak to someone as often as you would like. I don’t know much about how the health insurance works in the USA, it is different here in the UK, though I know there are huge waiting lists this side too. Thank you for raising more awareness with your post!x
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Such a great post, it i something we do not talk about as much as we should, and finding professional help is difficult. We are very aware of mental health in our house as my daughter is suffering with so much anxiety at the moment
You are so right, mental health is not a subject that is enough talked about and people suffering have a hard time talking about their illnesses or asking for help. These resources are great and for someone who can’t find the courage to talk about it, a first step into getting the help they need.
There isn’t enough free support for adults when it comes to mental health and it affects so many these days. It’s great you are helping to publicise the different resources.
LOVE this post, even now after all what has/is going on people still do not know who to talk to and resources for metal health are lacking. Keep your chin up and good on you for writing this xx
THIS! This information is so important to get out and share with others.
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It is of great help for people struggling with mental health. Thanks for sharing!!!
I wish mental health was taken more seriously. There’s a lot of oppression in our culture for having feelings or emotions, not being adult, and my favorite “manly.” I see it more and more as a parent. 😞
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Thanks for sharing about mental health week as well as the petition link. We all need to understand that this is a real problem
It is so important to share own experiences or offer support anytime of the year with regards to Mental Health but definitely this month too. Thanks for spreading awareness.
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I had no idea it was world mental health week, but it’s so important for everyone to continue the conversation and make sure people feel heard and seen x