Whether we choose to admit it or not, mental health, whether it’s our own or a friend’s, is often scary to discuss. Why? If someone has a hard time seeing, no one questions the need for glasses. If someone has a hard time hearing, no one questions the need for a hearing aid. The bottom line is that there’s no shame associated with needing glasses and hearing aids, is there? If a child breaks his arm, it practically becomes a moment of celebration as young classmates line up, eager to add signatures to the brightly colored cast. Why should mental health be any different?
For community members struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, Coronado SAFE wants to encourage people to take the first steps in working toward addressing their issues, choosing to steer the focus away from the negative stigma and instead chart the course toward recovery and healing.
Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. People experience symptoms of mental illnesses differently, and some engage in potentially dangerous or risky behaviors to avoid or cover up symptoms of a potential mental health problem. Sometimes people—especially young people— who are struggling with mental health concerns, develop habits that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or exhibit behaviors that could be signs of mental health problems themselves.
Activities like obsessive internet use, excessive spending, compulsive sex, recreational drug use, or disordered exercise patterns can all be behaviors that can disrupt someone’s mental health and potentially lead him or her down a path toward crisis. It is important to understand early symptoms and know when certain behaviors are potentially signs of something more. We need to speak up early and educate people about risky behavior and its connection to mental illness—and do so in a compassionate, judgement-free way.
Did you know the month of May, since 1949, has been designated nationally as Mental Health Month? In honor of this, Coronado SAFE and the Coronado SAFE Coalition are launching an initiative to raise awareness of the warning signs of important health concerns such as anxiety, depression, suicide and addiction. To kick off the month, Mayor Richard Bailey proclaimed May 2017 as Mental Health Month in Coronado.
Coronado SAFE would like to invite you to be a part of the solution. Do you know the signs of anxiety and depression? Do your neighbors, your children, your friends’ children know what to look for? If not, we do, and we would love to share that information with you! Throughout the month of May, Coronado SAFE will continue to address the issues that affect our community’s mental health, encouraging everyone, young and old, to MIND Your Health. Visit our website at CoronadoSAFE.org and sign up to receive a weekly eNewsletter targeting hot topics impacting Coronado, “Like” us on Facebook and Instagram for “31 posts a day in May”, where we will provide a tip, tool, or mental health awareness piece each day in May, or simply give us a call at 619.522.6884. Coronado SAFE staff would love to have a conversation with YOU!
When we engage in prevention and early identification, we can help reduce the burden of mental illness by identifying symptoms and warning signs early—and provide effective support. Help us help our community. Your donations in the month of May will provide funds that go directly to counseling services and early intervention programs! Donate today online at CoronadoSAFE.org, call (619) 522-6884 or send in a check to Coronado SAFE, 1009 C Ave. Coronado, CA 92118.
