POLK COUNTY -- The Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, Polk County Behavioral Health and The Polk County Health Department want to remind the community that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of focusing on improving mental health for everyone.
When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing mental illness here are some things you can do. Ask for help from a trusted friend/professional, learn the warning signs/symptoms of mental illness, know it is ok to talk about it, see a therapist and or doctor.
“It is important to really look at your overall health, both physically and mentally, to achieve wellness,” said Mary Boe, Health Educator Polk County Health Department. “Finding a reason to laugh, going for a walk with a friend, meditating, playing with a pet, or working from home once a week can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy – it’s all about finding the right balance to benefit both the mind and body.”
“We know that living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, but it can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes,” concluded Boe. “Finding the balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, physical health and mental health, can help you on the path towards focusing on both positive physical and mental health.
Local Resources:
Polk County Behavioral Health: https://www.polkcountybehavioralhealthdept.org/
Mental Health Task Force of Polk County http://mentalhealthpolk.org/
Northwest Connections Crisis Line 888-552-6642
National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/
For more information on May is Mental Health Month, visit MHA’s website at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may.
Last Update: May 24, 2019 10:48 am CDT
