What you should know about your mental health

Mental health is not limited to those who are struggling. We all have mental health, whether we’re feeling positive or negative about how it’s doing.  

This Mental Health Awareness Month, check in on your own mental health, and make sure you’re getting the facts — not the myths — when it comes to this topic.  

If you’re dealing with a mental health challenge, or have in the past, you’re not alone. In the United States, about one in five adults experience mental illness each year, but less than half get treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Children experience mental health concerns, too. Take charge of your mental health and don’t let your symptoms become unmanageable before you seek help.  

Licensed professionals can provide diagnoses 

If you’re not sure whether you have a diagnosable mental health condition, don’t rely on friends and family to help you determine that. If you do have a mental illness, you can get a diagnosis from a licensed professional, who will take into consideration your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them and whether your symptoms are impairing your day-to-day functioning.  

For example, being sad about something that happened is different than a prolonged period of clinical depression that could be impacting a person’s work, sleep, eating and cleanliness habits.  

People struggling with life stressors that don’t have a diagnosis, or the symptoms associated with the diagnosis are manageable, may benefit from working with a mental health coach.  

You’re not “crazy” and can accept help 

It’s OK to realize that you could benefit from professional help and take that step, and it doesn’t mean you’re “crazy.” You don’t have to do this alone.  

Talk to a mental health professional or your primary care physician to assist you in determining the appropriate level of care you may need. 

It’s OK to take medication.  

Just like people need medications for treatment of physical illnesses, some need medications for treatment of mental illnesses. Work with a professional who can prescribe medicine, such as a psychiatrist or physician, to determine what works and is a good fit for you. Everyone is different, so don’t compare yourself to others. Some are on medication short-term, while others are on it for a lifetime. Some use a combination of medication and therapy.  

Also, having to take medicine for a mental health condition doesn’t mean you’re letting down your faith. You can still hold strong in your beliefs while also taking medicine to help you. Medication can also allow people to feel well enough to seek additional mental health assistance.   

You don’t have to fear people who have mental health challenges.  

Although mental illnesses are often brought up when serious crimes occur, the numbers don’t tell the same story. A small percentage of violent acts are committed by those with serious mental illnesses, while that population is much more likely to be victimized, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  

Find the right fit.  

The first mental health provider you meet with might not be the one for you. You’ve taken the step to get help – now, ensure the provider is a good fit. You can ask the provider questions about their experience, whether what you’re dealing with is in their scope of practice, and what kinds of certifications they have.  

In Maryland, you can confirm that your provider is licensed and look at disciplinary actionshere:

• State Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists
• State Board of Social Work Examiners

In Delaware, use this link. If you don’t find the right fit the first time, try again.