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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Valdosta chapter.

What Is It?

During May, Mental Health Awareness steps into the spotlight to increase awareness towards the overlooked issues of poor mental health. Poor mental health not only affects one’s mentality, but it also affects day-to-day life, one’s emotional state, and one’s physicality. If not dealt with properly and effectively, poor mental health can lead to devastating, irreversible outcomes.

In the United States, this awareness month has been observed since 1949. Although, more recently, those across the entire globe have gotten a glimpse into the world of mental health awareness. Mental health awareness became a big topic once the Coronavirus Pandemic took its toll on each person living on Earth. The sudden and dramatic lifestyles changes it caused played a big role in each person’s mentality.

 

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Common Mental Health Issues & Symptoms:

Depression

  • Isolation

  • Sadness

  • No energy

  • No appetite

  • No concentration

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Guilt

  • Anger

  • Dependence

  • Suicidal thoughts

Anxiety

  • Excessive worry

  • Fatigue

  • Restlessness

  • Impaired concentration

  • Irritability

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Increased muscle aches/soreness

Stress

  • Headaches

  • Low energy

  • Muscle pain

  • Stomach ache & acid reflux

  • Insomnia

  • Grinding teeth

  • Increased breathing

  • Increased heart rate

 

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How to Raise Awareness and Share Support:

The easiest and simplest way to share your support for Mental Health Awareness is to educate yourself and others about it. Be a part of the community that recognizes the issues of poor mental health in the world, and be the person that stands with those in times of need.

Treat each person’s mental health issue with equality because no problem is more or less significant compared to another.

Help be the support system that others can rely on whether it’s directly with you or with a source you recommended to them.

Spread awareness to the communities around you because you can help change the world.

 

Some Sites to Visit:

https://www.aha.org/mental-health-awareness-month

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month

https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

Belle Caldwell

Valdosta '23

Hello, my name is Belle! I am an Art Major (Photography, Graphic Design, and Printmaking) at VSU with an Associate of Art degree from CCGA. I think everyone would agree I could be the face of all Virgos known to Earth. But I'm glad to be getting back into writing, and some of my other passions, again! I hope you all enjoy all the random things I end up writing <3
Her Campus at Valdosta State.