Mental Health Awareness Month: How to assess your emotional well-being
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — In this week’s Wellness Wednesday, we looked at ways to assess your emotional well-being.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in five adults live with a mental illness. The agency also said one in five children — between the ages of 13 to 18 — either currently have or had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
Life and mental health coach Cheryl Bridges said sometimes the shame associated with getting help is what prevents people from improving their lives.
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“When people think of the word ‘mental health,’ they immediately think of something negative, and it is not,” she said. “This month also is an opportunity for people to realize [there’s] nothing wrong with talking about mental health… It’s time to break the stigma and silence the stigma.”
The CDC said there are more than 200 types of mental health illnesses, and health experts said some of those illnesses can be related to trauma, biological chemical imbalances and feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Bridges told DC News Now it is important to face your emotions, address any anxious or restless feelings and seek help if you feel it is needed.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, call or text 988 to speak with a mental health professional.
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