6 Easy Ways to Support Mental Health. Start Right Now

Across the U.S. and the rest of the world, approximately 1 in 5 people, or 20%, suffer from some kind of mental illness or struggle. Let’s be honest; that doesn’t sound all that terrible. And perhaps it doesn’t warrant my attention—especially if I feel like I am one of the other 4 people—the 80%. After all, if 80% of the population is doing just fine, what’s the big deal? That 20% will get the help they need, right?

Wrong.

The problem is that the “1 in 5” stat is not entirely accurate. Because although 1 in 5 people may have a diagnosed mental health issue, that says nothing of the rest of us who suffer in silence, untreated, and unreached with the necessary network of care. We must ask ourselves how much of the 80% is affected without the rest of us knowing.

This is my story growing up. I had an aunt who was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. There was no doubt she had a mental health issue. We loved her, supported her, encouraged her, and even during an episode, afforded her endless amounts of grace. But throughout my childhood, that was my perception of mental health issues. My aunt was the 20%. I was still the 80%. But what happened when I began to experience depression and anxiety later in high school and college? I certainly wasn’t falling into the 20%. That was my aunt, not me. The result: I didn’t get help, tried to manage it on my own, and spoke to no one about it. I’ve battled on since.

We are the 80%, destined to be the 20% at some point in our lives. And if not us, someone we love. This is why Mental Health Awareness is so critical, why the conversation is so important, and why ignoring or shrugging it off can have dire consequences.

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. But it needs more than just fancy social posts and the right hashtag. Raising awareness should spark a conversation, change an attitude, and perhaps usher in hope for someone. It’s a reminder that we shouldn’t be sitting back watching from the sidelines.

So let’s start with some low-hanging fruit—the easiest ways to get involved and raise awareness about mental health:

Educate yourself

Read and learn more about mental health, including the common mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatment options. But also educate yourself on best practices for mental wellness. Good sleep, eating right, exercise, mindfulness, and gratitude all contribute to positive mental health. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to build awareness and action.

Click Here to Learn More About Mental Wellness

Share information about mental health on your social media platforms or with your friends and family.

You can use hashtags such as #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, #EndTheStigma, or #BreakTheSilence to help raise awareness. Yeah, I know; I just made a snarky comment about hashtags. But they do work. Hey, you’re on social anyway; why not use your platform for good, not just complain about the neighbor’s dog pooping on your lawn.

Attend or organize events: This is next level for those who can handle it.

Attend mental health events or organize your own. You can organize a mental health walk or run, a fundraiser, or a community discussion on mental health. Someone needs to step up and make a bigger deal. Why not you?

Volunteer

Volunteer with mental health organizations or mental health initiatives in your community. Sometimes our efforts seem inconsequential, so we minimize our need to be involved. But speaking directly from experience, those who volunteer to dive into the fray—especially mental health—are unsung heroes, but heroes nonetheless. You may never see the result, but your action is vital.

Take care of yourself

Practice good self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. Taking care of your mental health can help you better advocate for mental health awareness.

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Offer financial support

There are so many great organizations doing great work. But that work can only happen with the faithful financial support of the community. $20, $50, or even $100 monthly can do more than you could imagine.

Remember that mental health awareness should be a year-round effort, not just limited to the month of May. Small actions can make a big difference in reducing the stigma around mental health and encouraging others to seek help when needed. Because while you may not be the 20%, it’s likely you will be at some point. We all struggle and need a community to navigate through it.