This year’s World Mental Health Day may be the most important one since the holiday was established in 1992. World Mental Health Day, which fell on October 10th, was initially started through the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) which is a global mental health organization that holds members in over 150 countries, the United States being one of them. In the last 28 years there has not been another year that has had a greater impact on the entire world’s mental health than 2020. COVID-19 has quite literally changed lives all across the globe. From the anxiety of avoiding the virus, to the loneliness that isolation has brought on, to the financial stress of facing unemployment, there has been a definite increase mental health concerns among most of us.
A study by the CDC in June of this year found that 40% of adult Americans reported struggling with mental health or substance use. Additionally, the study found a 31% increase in anxiety/depression, a 26% increase in trauma/stressor-related disorder symptoms, a 13% increase in substance use, and an 11% increase in suicidal ideations since the beginning of the pandemic. These findings reflect the need to fight harder against the stigma of mental illness more than ever before.
All too often, individuals feel ashamed in seeking help with emotional health issues, which prevents them from getting the support they need. This can ultimately lead to further damage to themselves or other people. And these effects reach all of us whether it’s a friend, family member, or coworker, as most of us know someone who has struggled with their mental health. At Focus Integrative, our providers are working everyday to stop the stigma against mental illness, but it takes more than just professionals in the mental health field to see a real change. While raising awareness globally is the aim of World Mental Health Day, everyone can do their part in their own community.
So how can you start fighting stigma right here in Knoxville? Here are a few ways!
1) Talk Openly About Mental Health. If the opportunity to talk about mental health arises, and it is an appropriate time, talk openly about it! Talk about it like it is a normal part of everyday conversation because it can be. One of the most important things we can do is to ask how someone is doing and ask how they are really doing. This is such an easy way to start a very natural conversation about mental health.
2) Educate! Educate! Educate! It is essential to educate both yourself and others on mental health and it’s illnesses. There are lots of great resources out there to learn more about mental health and mental illness. You can visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website or start Googling on your own.
3) Encourage Equality Between Physical and Mental Illness. It is common for people to talk about broken limbs, diagnoses of the flu, and other physical ailments all of which are usually well received. However, when someone brings up concerns with psychological health, it can be met with awkward silence. Instead, begin to encourage those types of conversations by listening and even asking questions. This shows that you care about his/her emotional well-being and that you are also interested in learning more about the situation.
4) Normalize Seeking Help/ Treatment. If you see a counselor or therapist, then don’t tell your friends that you are “running to the store” instead of your therapy session. If you struggle with depression or anxiety and are managing it with medication, tell your loved one about it instead of blaming it on hormones or lack of sleep. Learning to be open with those who are close to you not only helps you, but it also helps them understand and normalize behavioral health.
5) Fight Self-Stigma. Again, if you are battling your own mental health or illness right now, give yourself the grace and space to deal with it. It is so much easier for us to tell others to seek help, but for some reason we often do not allow ourselves the same courtesy. If something doesn’t feel right, start the conversation with your doctor instead of telling yourself that you will “just get over it” or you’re “just being dramatic”. Real change starts within ourselves.
Join us in the fight against mental health stigma by trying one of these tips. If you are looking for a provider in East Tennessee, Focus Integrative Centers is a great place to start your journey to healing. We have a skilled team of psychologists, therapists, and dietitians that are here to serve you. You can give us a call at 865-622-7116 or click here for more information.
Contributed by Kaitlyn Tucker, MS, RDN, LDN, IOP and Outpatient Dietitian for Focus Integrative Centers
Archive
-
November 2024
- Nov 21, 2024 What are the 12-Steps? Nov 21, 2024
-
October 2024
- Oct 22, 2024 Eating Disorder Awareness on Social Media Oct 22, 2024
- Oct 1, 2024 Managing ADHD in Eating Disorder Recovery Oct 1, 2024
-
September 2024
- Sep 16, 2024 Are eating disorders genetic? Sep 16, 2024
-
August 2024
- Aug 27, 2024 How Eating Disorders Affect the Brain Aug 27, 2024
-
March 2024
- Mar 6, 2024 What is Intuitive Eating? Mar 6, 2024
-
August 2023
- Aug 28, 2023 Quick Facts on Dietitians vs Nutritionists Aug 28, 2023
-
May 2023
- May 4, 2023 Should You Be Pro Probiotics? May 4, 2023
-
February 2023
- Feb 27, 2023 Diet Culture is Clever Than Ever Feb 27, 2023
-
January 2023
- Jan 11, 2023 Winter is Often a Perfect Time to Heal Jan 11, 2023
-
November 2022
- Nov 14, 2022 How to Talk to Someone in Recovery: Advice for Friends and Family Nov 14, 2022
-
September 2022
- Sep 12, 2022 Recovery is for everyone Sep 12, 2022
-
July 2022
- Jul 18, 2022 Grocery Shopping in Eating Disorder Recovery Jul 18, 2022
-
June 2022
- Jun 13, 2022 Is Mental Restriction Causing You to Binge Eat? Jun 13, 2022
-
May 2022
- May 9, 2022 Cognitive Distortions in Eating Disorders May 9, 2022
-
April 2022
- Apr 4, 2022 The Stages of Group Therapy Apr 4, 2022
-
March 2022
- Mar 21, 2022 Celebrating National Nutrition Month Mar 21, 2022
-
January 2022
- Jan 18, 2022 Yoga: An Eating Disorder Recovery Tool Jan 18, 2022
-
November 2021
- Nov 16, 2021 The Reason I'm Grateful for that "Time of the Month" Nov 16, 2021
-
October 2021
- Oct 14, 2021 Plant-Based Diets and Eating Disorders Oct 14, 2021
-
September 2021
- Sep 23, 2021 Harmful Myths from Diet Culture Sep 23, 2021
-
July 2021
- Jul 12, 2021 Body Acceptance Jul 12, 2021
-
June 2021
- Jun 16, 2021 What is Avoidant Restrictive Intake Disorder? Jun 16, 2021
-
May 2021
- May 18, 2021 Perfectionism and Mental Health May 18, 2021
-
April 2021
- Apr 20, 2021 Eating Disorders in Men Apr 20, 2021
-
March 2021
- Mar 15, 2021 Yes, ALL Foods Really Do Fit Mar 15, 2021
-
February 2021
- Feb 15, 2021 What I Didn’t Expect on My Eating Disorder Recovery Journey Feb 15, 2021
-
January 2021
- Jan 11, 2021 Focus on Health, Not Diets This New Year Jan 11, 2021
-
December 2020
- Dec 14, 2020 Keeping Hope Alive Through the Holidays Dec 14, 2020
-
November 2020
- Nov 16, 2020 How to Navigate Holiday Parties in Eating Disorder Recovery Nov 16, 2020
-
October 2020
- Oct 14, 2020 World Mental Health Starts Here Oct 14, 2020
-
September 2020
- Sep 22, 2020 National Recovery Month Sep 22, 2020
-
August 2020
- Aug 24, 2020 Are Athletes More Likely to Have an Eating Disorder? Aug 24, 2020
-
July 2020
- Jul 24, 2020 Parents, is your child just "a picky eater" or is it something else? Jul 24, 2020
-
June 2020
- Jun 11, 2020 How to Practice Gratitude During COVID Jun 11, 2020
-
May 2020
- May 11, 2020 How Disordered Eating Affects Women’s Fertility May 11, 2020
-
April 2020
- Apr 21, 2020 How to Care for Our Bodies During a Pandemic in Eating Disorder Recovery Apr 21, 2020
-
March 2020
- Mar 23, 2020 Meal Planning in Quarantine: Tips from a Dietitian (and a Mom) Mar 23, 2020
-
February 2020
- Feb 18, 2020 Do You Know Someone That May Have an Eating Disorder? Remember to ACT NOW. Feb 18, 2020
-
January 2020
- Jan 24, 2020 January: The Monday of Months Jan 24, 2020
-
December 2019
- Dec 18, 2019 New Year, No Diets Dec 18, 2019
-
November 2019
- Nov 19, 2019 Eat, Drink, & Still Be Merry: Navigating the Holidays with an Eating Disorder Nov 19, 2019
-
October 2019
- Oct 16, 2019 Fear Foods Going Bump in the Night Oct 16, 2019
-
September 2019
- Sep 25, 2019 Don’t Believe Everything You Think Sep 25, 2019
-
August 2019
- Aug 20, 2019 Does my child have an eating disorder? Aug 20, 2019
-
July 2019
- Jul 24, 2019 Therapist Spotlight: Missy Cohen, LCSW Jul 24, 2019
-
June 2019
- Jun 25, 2019 Honoring Both Hunger AND Fullness Jun 25, 2019
-
May 2019
- May 23, 2019 Thoughts from the Dietitian: What Self-Care Is, What It Is Not, & Why You Need to Know the Difference May 23, 2019
-
April 2019
- Apr 30, 2019 April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Apr 30, 2019
-
March 2019
- Mar 31, 2019 Shining a Spotlight on the Social Work Field Mar 31, 2019
-
February 2019
- Feb 28, 2019 Eating Disorder Awareness Week Feb 28, 2019
-
January 2019
- Jan 31, 2019 The Cure for Resolution Burnout Jan 31, 2019
-
December 2018
- Dec 14, 2018 Don't Hit "Snooze" on Those Winter Blues: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder Dec 14, 2018
-
November 2018
- Nov 21, 2018 Gratitude: Just a Trendy Word or a Form of Mental Training? Nov 21, 2018
-
October 2018
- Oct 25, 2018 9 Things To Know About Medication Management for Mental Health Oct 25, 2018
-
August 2018
- Aug 30, 2018 It's Pumpkin Time in Knoxville: Balancing Lattes and Weight Loss Aug 30, 2018
-
July 2018
- Jul 26, 2018 Declaring Independence from Co-Dependence: A How To Guide Jul 26, 2018
-
June 2018
- Jun 29, 2018 EMDR Training for Professionals Jun 29, 2018
-
May 2018
- May 31, 2018 Health from the Inside Out May 31, 2018
-
April 2018
- Apr 23, 2018 "Clean Eating" Can Lead to Orthorexia Apr 23, 2018
- Apr 23, 2018 Mind & Emotions Interview: Emotional Eating Apr 23, 2018