Mental Health

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing and how we cope with stress, interact with others, and make choices for our lives. Taking care of your mental health is an essential part of living a happy, balanced, and fulfilling life.

When people are unable to cope with the demands of life, they may develop a mental health condition or issue that affects how they think, feel, and behave. Mental health conditions can range from mild to severe. At the severe end, individuals may experience difficulty engaging in daily tasks. When people are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, they may need more intensive support such as therapy, medication, or hospitalization.

In the US, about 20% of the population will experience a mental health condition in a given year. The most common mental health conditions are depression and anxiety. Rates of the two have increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety

Anxiety is marked by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension about future events. It can manifest physically with symptoms such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, trembling/shaking, restlessness, racing thoughts, and difficulty concentrating. Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. While experiencing occasional anxiety is normal, an anxiety disorder involves chronic and excessive worry that interferes with daily functioning.

Depression

Depression is marked by mood changes such as sadness, anger/irritability, or apathy. Expressions of depression may include: changes in mood; fatigue; disruptions in sleep (insomnia or sleeping too much); changes in appetite (eating too little or too much); feeling worthless or guilty; having trouble concentrating or making decisions; thinking about death or dying; and thoughts of harming oneself or others. If left untreated, depression may lead to significant impairment in personal, social, and professional functioning.

Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal thoughts are very common when people are experiencing emotional distress. Being able to talk to someone about suicidal thoughts can help to normalize these feelings and start to receive help. It is important to take notice when people are talking about suicide and to get them connected to help. Sharing concerns with a doctor or faith leader, using a crisis hotline (e.g., 9-8-8), or even talking to a friend or family member can be the first steps to getting necessary help.

Trauma Reactions

Trauma reactions occurwhen we are triggered, feel threatened, or fear for our lives, and our bodies engage in an automatic response directed toward the perceived threat or danger. We exhibit these responses in many situations such as environmental events, accidents, life-threatening situations, and even discussions of race. Trauma lives in our memories and in our bodies. Complex trauma can occur when people go through multiple traumatic events in close proximity, which can make recovery more difficult.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a clinical diagnosis used when an individual’s trauma reaction persists for over six months. Expressions of PTSD include feeling on edge or jumpy; avoiding reminders of the trauma event; intrusive thoughts such as flashbacks; and changes in mood and daily habits.