Since first being observed in 1949, each May marks Mental Health Awareness Month. In recent years, our collective understanding of mental health disorders (and how to better treat them) has greatly advanced.

However, the need to communicate this information and help others realize that different tools and resources are readily available to better manage these conditions, perhaps has never been greater.

Mental Health Awareness Month is about increasing the understanding of a common problem that affects too many people, globally.  

In the U.S., it’s estimated that about 1 out of every 5 adults have a mental health disorder.¹ However, that doesn’t diminish the fact that any one of us – especially in this past year – can experience symptoms of anxiety or depression from time to time.

If you experience this, or other troubling symptoms, know that “you are not alone.” Sometimes, even the simple act of sharing your story with others can be helpful. If nothing else, sharing your story helps to end the stigma of mental health.

Theme of 2021 – “Tools 2 Thrive”

This year’s theme “Tools 2 Thrive” is about helping you find practical tools to build up resiliency. To ultimately improve your sense of mental well-being.

Regardless of the hardships you may be facing, finding and utilizing the right tools can make a difference. You are stronger and more resilient than you probably give yourself credit for. You just need to strategize a little to make the most of your efforts.

By making improvements in your diet, self-care practices, and using the right resources, you will likely achieve significant results. I cover these topics of self-care and wellness in more depth at the end of Foods for Thought, in the Afterword section.

How has COVID-19 impacted mental health?

First, this is a difficult question that researchers are only beginning to appreciate and understand. Consider all of the challenges, hardships, and loss brought along by the pandemic. This has been a major disruption to our sense of normalcy.

Much of what we took for granted, we may have either lost or maybe just remains uncertain still today. For too many, loss of employment, social isolation, and bereavement are just a few of the additional challenges posed on mental health.² 

These factors are complicated to try and measure the real costs of. Perhaps we’ll never know the true toll that this pandemic has taken on mental health. Though more importantly, what to do about it? What can you do to overcome such challenges? There is help out there, so don’t feel you have to go about it alone.

Try not to get overwhelmed thinking about too many healthful changes at once. Find one, two, or three things maximum, at once that you want to work on and make a change.

How might mental health awareness help?

This year, Mental Health America discusses relevant topics like processing big changes and managing frustration and anger. It also recognizes the importance of prioritizing time for yourself and self-care. Moreover, it can even help you learn to adapt better after trauma or stress.³  

Three easy ways you can help increase awareness

Whether for yourself or for your loved ones. Increasing awareness is the first step to finding relief in mental health problems.

1. Take an online screening test at MHAscreening.org. It’s really simple and takes about two minutes per test. Take as many tests as you’d like. 
2. Share your story. Simply talking about our problems can sometimes help. Sharing your story with others also helps to fight the stigma of mental health. 
3. Learn more and find resources right for you. Download and share the Tools 2 Thrive Toolkit at www.MHAnational.org/May. 

Can’t forget about eating healthy for your brain and your “second brain”!

Keep it simple (with few exceptions), eat more:

• Vegetables and fruits – the more variety and colorful, the better – especially dark leafy greens and berries
• Sources of essential fatty acids (EFAs) – EFAs are critical for brain health and promoting a good mood, especially omega-3 fatty acids – e.g. fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseed, hemp seeds
• Probiotics – these friendly bacteria, naturally found in fermented foods, help contribute to healthy digestion, gut-health and brain-health 
• Drink plenty of WATER – helps deliver all of the key nutrients from foods to supply the working cells with “building blocks” to produce neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, sleep, and stress 

References:

1. National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed April 2021: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
2. World Health Organization. COVID 19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey. 2020. https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey
3. Mental Health America. Accessed April 2021: https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month