This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, thinking, and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often yield into diminished ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.
Mental illnesses include bipolar disorder,borderline personality disorder major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia amongst others.
Mental illnesses affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income level. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable and recovery may be possible. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by being an active participant in their treatment plan.
Mental Health Illnesses are medically treated in conjunction with psychological treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups, can also be components of a person’s treatment plan that assist with recovery. The availability of housing, proper diet, exercise, adequate sleep, friends, modes of transportation availability, and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.
For more information on Mental Illness, recognizing signs of Mental Illness, treatment, and resources click here
Photo by: Danny Atherton License by: Creative Commons
Wellness at St. Joseph's College 