“In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. 5 percent of adults (18 or older) experience a mental illness in any one year, equivalent to 43.8 million people” (Mental Health First Aid, February 2019). Mental health relates to our psychological and emotional well being. Which by the statistics above shows that it is as important as our physical health.
According to the Mayo clinic, mental health experiences can be an illness or concern. An illness is more long term, while a concern is short term. It can refer to a wide range of mental health conditions that can impact your mood, thinking or behavior(Mayo clinic, 2019). They may range from depression, addictive behaviors to anxiety and grief. Some people have mental concerns at different times of their lives due to life experiences. Therefore, mental health is everyone’s concern. Especially with the current situation of COVID-19, many people are experiencing anxieties, loneliness and some depression.
Therefore, we need to become more aware of our own mental health and support others as they address theirs. Do you do a mental health check just as you schedule your physical health check? What does a mental health check look like? Psychology Today has a great 12 question check up list here. This would be great to do at the same time you have your physical check up. Here’s to your Health (all of it).
Preview of Psychology Today’s Mental Health Checkup:
- Check on your activities and interest
- My physical health
- I have people who care about me and people for whom I care
- I feel like a contributing member of society
- I am glad to be alive
- My temper is usually under control
- Physical exam (with blood work) within the past 12 months
- I sleep okay
- I feel as if there must be some sort of purpose to my life, even if I am not currently aware of what it might be.
- I am able to relax and take it easy.
- My “life clock” seems to be ticking along okay.
- In the past year, no one has suggested to me that I seek mental health treatment of any kind.
