Highland Ridge Hospital Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
Midvale,UT: May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a time dedicated to prevention, identification, and intervention for those who are at risk for mental health concerns. Every May since 1949, Mental Health America and its affiliates have celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month in order to promote and recognize the significance of mental health for everyone.
This year's theme for National Mental Health Awareness Month is "Addressing Mental Health Before Stage 4," which was chosen to call attention to the importance of addressing mental health symptoms early, identifying potential underlying diseases, and determining the appropriate course of action on a path towards overall good health. The idea behind this year's theme is that mental health disorders should be addressed long before they reach the most critical point in the disease process, or what is referred to as stage 4. It is the goal of Mental Health America to have every American screened and made aware of their mental health, so it can be addressed before it gets to the most severe stage; stage 4.
It is estimated that one in five adults in the United States will have a diagnosable mental health condition each year. Furthermore, 50 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a mental health condition at some point in their life, and about half of those individuals will have developed those disorders by the age of fourteen. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in the United States alone, depression affects 6.7 percent, anxiety affects 18.1 percent, bipolar disorder affects 2.6 percent, and schizophrenia affects 1 percent of the adult population. Those are just the most common diagnoses that come to mind when thinking about mental illnesses.
For too long, mental health problems have not been addressed until after a crisis occurs. People often wait until someone is in danger of hurting him or herself or others before they act, which is not the approach to take. When symptoms are ignored, people lose years in which they could have received treatment that would have changed their lives for the better. By learning the signs of mental illness and taking action right away, these disorders can be caught early and treated, allowing individuals to live up to their fullest potential. Throughout this month, members of the community are encouraged to learn more about their own mental health and take action right away if they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder. By effectively intervening during the early stages of mental illness, lives can be saved.
About Highland Ridge Hospital
Highland Ridge Hospital specializes in the compassionate and supportive treatment of individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Our group of caring medical professionals has helped our clients achieve something very special - sobriety. For more information, visit www.Highlandridgehospital.com.
