Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 5th –October 11th. It is important to be informed on how mental illness affects our youth, not just this week but year round. One in five teens suffers from a mental illness. Having a mental illness should not be any different than experiencing a physical illness. Now let’s learn about the different types and warning signs.
Types of mental illnesses include:
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Impulse control
- Personality disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
Warning signs in teens include:
- Mood swings
- Behavioral changes
- Consequences in school
- Physical symptoms
- Self-medicating
Ways teens can strive for mental and emotional health:
Encouraging the following:
- Enough rest and good nutrition
- Practicing self-discipline and self-control
- Avoiding stressful situations
- Surrounding themselves with positive people
- Open communication and trust
- Seeking professional help
Ways you can participate in Mental Illness Awareness Week:
- Participate in depression and health screenings
- Join walks
- Attend faith oriented events
- Donate or volunteer at a mental health organization
- Join conversations on social media to raise awareness
For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week and to learn how you can help, log on to:
NAMI.org
Il.nami.org
Namistl.org
Webmd.com/mental-health
Teenmentalhealth.org
psychiatry.org/teens
art by 2013 participant- Jocelyn Romero, Hubbard High School.