Bridge to Wellness

Mental health issues: Recognizing signs, symptoms and strategies for coping

by Jennifer Matthews

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which was established in the U.S. in 1949  to help expand awareness and decrease the stigma associated with mental health issues. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings, both locally and nationally.

So what exactly is mental health? The World Health Organizations defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.

Being mentally healthy is an integral part of good health and well-being and is crucial to personal and community development. Mental wellness is important at every stage of life from childhood through adulthood.

Many factors can contribute to mental health issues, including biological factors such as genetics; life experience, including trauma or abuse; and a family history of mental health problems. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and to seek treatment if needed.

Some of these early signs and symptoms can include the following:

• Eating too much or too little
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Having low energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Experiencing unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness
• Using substances such as tobacco and alcohol more than usual
• Feeling confused, forgetful, on edge, worried, or scared
• Facing conflict(s) with family members
• Suffering severe mood swings that cause problems with relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t let go of
• Hearing voices or believing in things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Experiencing difficulty performing daily activities, such as showering and going to work

Experiencing the above symptoms does not mean there’s something “wrong” with you. But, it does mean you should likely talk to a doctor or therapist before symptoms become severe. Every county in the state of Michigan has a community mental health program. If you feel you need assistance but don’t have a doctor to see, local mental health services may be able to help.

If you are diagnosed with a mental health condition, many tools and treatments are available for support. Following are some tips and strategies that can help.

• Stick to your treatment plan
• Make sure to update your physician regularly
• Learn about your condition; knowledge is power
• Practice good self-care
• Don’t go through it alone; reach out to family and friends
• Develop healthy coping skills
• Get enough sleep
• Eat well and get daily exercise.

If you have concerns about your mental health and well-being, the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (www.ceicmh.org ) provides a link to an anonymous online screening questionnaire. You can go directly to the anonymous questionnaire at www.screening.hfihub.com/cei.

Mental well-being enables people to cope with the stresses of life. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and to seek treatment if needed. Photo credit: Marcel Strauß at unsplash.com

Jennifer Matthews

This column is sponsored by the Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition. Jennifer Matthews, RN, is a registered nurse in the Stockbridge School System. She has worked as a community nurse for the last eight years and is an active volunteer within the Jackson County foster care system. Jen has a passion for helping individuals advocate for their health and learn to navigate the healthcare system.