January 2021: Mental Wellness Month

January 2021 is Mental Wellness Month, and after the terrible year of 2020, for many, it couldn’t come at a more critical time. Under normal circumstances, in a normal year, millions of people struggle with stress, emotional and mental conditions such as depression and anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.

2020 was far from normal. It remains to be seen whether 2021 will be.

Mental health and mental wellness are often used interchangeably, and according to Merriam-Webster.com, the definition of mental health is, “the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness…”

For too many, mental wellness is a condition that simply isn’t reachable without help, and help can often be difficult to find. Pride, family traditions, and a lack of financial ability often cause people to avoid seeking assistance that can help them become as mentally and emotionally sound as they possibly can be.

The year of 2020 brought many stressful situations for many people around the world. Isolation, fear, worry, financial concerns, and politics have played a major role in many people’s daily lives.

Children are feeling lonely without the ability to socialize. Parents are struggling to work and teach their children and keep them occupied in healthy ways.

Many are worrying about keeping their businesses going, maintaining their way of life, and avoiding illness.

Untreated emotional and mental conditions can lead to suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, and violent abusive treatment of partners, children, pets, and other family members. The good news is that there are so many options available for treatment and healing that the hardest part can be deciding to reach out and ask.

So, this January, let’s all take note of our own mental wellness, as well as the mental and emotional well-being of our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

Often, recognizing mental health issues and showing compassion and love makes all the difference in encouraging those we know to find the assistance they need.

Sources

merriam-webster.com – Mental Health

nimh.nih.gov – Coping with Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety

sunshinebehavioralhealth.com – 30-Day Inpatient Rehab Programs