May is Mental Health Month, and the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center wants to make the community aware of the significance of its observance.
Created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions, Mental Health Month focuses on the importance of mental wellness for people of all ages.
Sonja Glover, CE&P Director of Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center, said many people fear seeking the help they need because of the stigma associated with mental illness, and sometimes, the stigma can be worse than the illness.
"People who experience emotional disorders do not have to suffer without help," she said. "With the help and support of family and friends, people should consult with a psychiatrist or medical physician, making a positive step toward controlling and curing the condition that interferes with their lives."
This year's Mental Health Month theme is "Get Connected." According to the Mental Health America Web site, there are many ways of creating connections that support mental health, including:
* Getting connected to family and friends to feel close and supported.
* Getting connected to community to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
* Getting connected to professional help to feel better when stressed and having trouble coping.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in four Americans 18 years of age and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, and about one in 17 American adults suffer from a serious mental illness.
An OAMHC press release lists the following as warning signs that a person needs to seek professional help:
* Agitated behavior
* Withdrawing socially from society
* Sleeping too much or too little
* Not eating properly
* Not practicing proper hygiene
* Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or using street drugs
* Smoking too much or drinking too much coffee
* Having incoherent thoughts and speech
* Not talking about feelings or life experiences
American Psychological Association statistics show one in three people in America are living with extreme stress. Stress can come from a heavy workload, daily traffic jams, dealing with a health problem or injury, taking care of someone who is ill, financial worries, relationship troubles or major life transitions, such as starting a family.
"With today's hectic pace, it's normal to feel some stress," Glover said. "But having chronic stress can lead to a number of health problems. Too much stress or stress that lasts for a long time can take its toll on the body. If you feel overwhelmed, unable to cope and feel as though your stress is affecting how you function every day, it could be something more, such as depression or anxiety."
Stress can make a person feel run down, sad, nervous, angry or irritable. It can cause headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, feelings of despair and cause sufferers to eat more or less than normal. In the long term, stress can raise an individual's risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and reproductive problems and can weaken the body's immune system and ability to fight disease.
"Stress can also raise the risk of depression, which may, in turn, contribute to heart disease and diabetes," Glover said. "It can also make it harder for a person to recover from a heart attack or keep diabetes in check. So, managing stress is very important"
Bessie Abraham, executive director of the Orangeburg Area Mental H
ealth Center said even if the source of stress cannot be changed, people can improve how they deal with it.
"Social support can help people get through stressful times by providing a sense of belonging, self-worth and security," she said.
Glover said the following are ways individuals can manage life's challenges so that they can lower the risk of mental and other health problems:
* Connect with others.
Talk to a trusted friend or family member, support group or group counselor. Spend time with people you care about and trust can ease stress and improve your mood.
* Relax your mind.
Listen to soothing music, read a book or do a quiet activity. Try deep breathing, yoga, meditation or massage therapy.
* Exercise.
Exercising relaxes tense muscles, improves your mood and sleep and increases your energy and strength. Take a brisk walk, or use a stationary bike to make you feel better.
* Get enough rest.
Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night to help you recover from the stresses of the day.
* Help others.
Helping others builds social networks, improves self-esteem and can give you a sense of purpose and achievement.
* Know your limits.
Let others know your limits, too. If you're overwhelmed at home or work or with friends, learn to say "no."
* Keep a journal.
Some researchers report that writing about painful events can help reduce stress and improve health. Keeping a journal will be useful in tracking your sleep to help identify the triggers that make you feel more anxious.
* Watch negative self-talk.
Try not to put yourself -- or someone else -- down. Integrate self-talk daily, and surround yourself with positive people.
* Get involved in spiritual activities.
Studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, such as greater coping skills, less anxiety and a lower risk of depression. Prayer and meditation can evoke positive emotions that can lead to better health.
* Write down three good things that happen to you each day for a week. Also, write down why each good thing happened. Thinking about the good things in life and expressing gratitude may actually help you feel better.
For more information about Mental Health Month, call the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center at 803-536-1571. For tips on building the basics for a child's good mental health, visit TheTandD.com.
Helping children grow up healthy
From the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center
It is easy for parents to identify a child's physical needs -- nutritious and balanced meals; adequate shelter and clothing; sufficient rest and physical activity; a healthy living environment. However, a child's mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially, learn new skills, build self-esteem and develop a positive mental outlook.
Sarah Thomas, Children, Adolescent and Family Services director of the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center, said the basics for a child's good mental health include:
* Giving children unconditional love.
Children need to know that your love does not depend on their accomplishments.
* Nurturing children's confidence and self-esteem.
Praise and encourage them. Set realistic goals for them. Be honest about your mistakes. Avoid sarcasm.
* Encouraging children to play.
Play time is as important to a child's development as food. Play helps children be creative, develop problem-solving skills and self-control and learn how to get along with others.
* Enroll children in an after-school activity, especially if they are otherwise home alone after school.
This is a great way for kids to stay productive, learn something new, gain self-esteem and have something to look forward to during the week. Check in on children after school if they are home alone. Children need to know that even if you're not there physically, you're thinking about them and interested in how they spent their day and how they'll spend the rest of it.
* Provide a safe and secure environment.
Fear can be very real for a child. Try to find out what is frightening him or her. Be loving, patient and reassuring, not critical.
* Give appropriate guidance and discipline, when necessary.
Be firm, but kind and realistic with your expectations. The goal is not to control the child but to help him or her learn self-control.
* Communicate.
Make time each day to listen to your children, and talk with them about what is happening in their lives. Share emotions and feelings with your children.
* Get help.
If you're concerned about your child's mental or emotional health, consult with teachers, a guidance counselor or another adult who may have information about his or her behavior. If you think there's a problem, seek professional help right away.
For more information, call the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center at 803-536-1571 or Mental Health America at 1-800-969-6642.