Experts say that most people don’t pay close enough attention to their mental health. Of course, it’s often difficult for people to spot mental health problems within themselves. Thankfully, groups like Mental Health America (MHA) spread awareness of mental health problems. For that reason, MHA runs Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every year.
What Is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month is a special event that occurs in May of each year. During this event, MHA encourages people to spread awareness about mental health problems. It also urges people to focus on the topic of the year.
Each year, MHA focuses on a specific topic that relates to mental health. In 2012, for example, the topic was “Healing Trauma’s Invisible Wounds.” In 2017, the topic was “Risky Business,” which focused on mental health problems in the workplace.
For 2019, MHA wants to expand on last year’s topic, which was fitness. The theme for this year is “#4Mind4Body.” Its focus is on how fitness can help people avoid some mental health issues.
The Link Between Mental Health Problems and Substance Use
There’s a link between mental health and the development of addiction. For that reason, it’s important for those with addiction to find a dual diagnosis treatment center in Oregon. Such a facility helps people overcome not only addiction but also underlying mental disorders.
What most people don’t know is that addiction is a mental health disorder. Once the brain develops one disorder, it becomes susceptible to others. Because of that, it doesn’t matter whether the addiction or mental illness develops first.
For example, let’s say that people develop severe depression but don’t seek help. In order to cope with the symptoms, they might turn to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, the relief that this provides only lasts while the drugs are in their system.
In short, people have to continue to abuse substances in order to sustain the relief. Eventually, this behavior transforms into a full-blown addiction. When that happens, they have little choice but to seek treatment at a rehab center that offers dual diagnosis treatment.
What Can You Do to Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month?
MHAM only works if people all over the country get involved. For that reason, MHA encourages everyone to hold their own events. To help make this process easier, they can download a tool kit from the MHA website. This tool kit is full of helpful information that makes planning MHAM events easier.
Lean on Us When You Need Support
Are you struggling with addiction and an underlying mental disorder? If so, consider seeking treatment at Crestview Recovery. We offer a wide range of programs, including dual diagnosis treatment. A few of the other programs that we offer include:
- Intensive outpatient program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Aftercare
- Holistic treatment
- Outpatient rehab
Find out what you can do to spread awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month. Don’t let mental health problems go without treatment. Get help for mental health and addiction problems when you call us at 8662620531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
