Getting a diagnosis of mental illness can be frightening and lead to uncertain thoughts and feelings. When someone is diagnosed with mental illness, learning more about it is the first step to managing your daily life. Having a diagnosis of mental illness is more common than you think.
According to NAMI, they state “millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love, and inspire daily.”
- 21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020 (52.9 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
- 5.6% of U.S. adults experienced severe mental illness in 2020 (14.2 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
- 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
- 6.7% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2020 (17 million people). (NAMI, 2020).
So is mental illness curable?
The short answer is no. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mental illness. But medical advancements have come so far in terms of medication, specific types of therapy, inpatient and outpatient treatment, peer support groups, and programs. The list goes on. Being diagnosed with mental illness is not the end all be all. Mental illness is widespread, and the statistics above show that 1 in 5 adults will experience mental illness in 2020. If you live with mental illness, know you are not alone. There are a variety of ways to manage your condition.
How can I manage my mental illness?
- Exercise: Moving your body releases feel-good hormones in the brain, such as endorphins and serotonin. Movement not only makes you feel good, but it also makes you stronger!
- Healthy eating: When you eat right, you feel right. It’s no surprise that our diets have a lot to do with how we think and perform daily. Food is fuel, not only for your body but for your brain too!
- Have a sound support system: Reaching out to your friends and family can make all the difference in managing your mental illness. Being able to take a deep breath and have a conversation with someone who supports you is a great feeling.
- Reach out when you’re struggling: Dealing with mental illness is not easy some days. Having a professional to talk to and manage your stressors makes functioning during your day-to-day routine more manageable. It’s okay not to be okay.
In conclusion, with the right tools and healthy habits, you can manage your mental illness and lead a productive, happy, rewarding life. Knowing what works best for you is the key to making a difference in your diagnosis. Experiment with several healthy habits, see what makes you feel the best, and implement them into your daily routine. You’ve got this!
If you feel the need to reach out for help, here are some resources to guide you:
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Text “HELLO” to 741741
www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention
24/7 Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461
Don’t feel like talking? Text SUPPORT to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741
24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Dunkirk Mental Hygiene Clinic (716) 363-3550
Jamestown Mental Hygiene Clinic (716) 661-8330
If you want to see a specific topic written about on our blog, please reach out to us via our Social Media Coordinator, Julie Paredes, at paredesj.ctr@chqgov.com or DM/Message us on our social media accounts! We would love to take into consideration what readers are interested in. All social media accounts are linked above, or you can follow us at https://www.facebook.com/MentalHygieneCHQ on Facebook & https://www.instagram.com/mentalhygienechq/ on Instagram! Guess what? We’re also on TikTok! You can find our page here -> https://www.tiktok.com/@chqmentalhygiene
Mental Hygiene CHQ Blog 