HomeBlogPatientMay is Mental Health Month: Raising Mental Health Awareness May is Mental Health Month: Raising Mental Health Awareness May 1, 2017Patient For more than 65 years, Mental Health America (MHA), one of the United States’ leading community-based mental health advocacy groups, has observed the month of May as a month of education and awareness. Over the years, numerous organizations and health providers have supported this endeavor. In 2016, President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation, stating, “This month, we renew our commitment to ridding our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get the help they need, and reaffirm our pledge to ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance, and resources they deserve.” Each year, Mental Health Month has a different theme. Music aficionados will likely recall Ian Dury’s 1977 punk classic, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.” It also happens to be the theme of MHA’s 2017 conference. To that end, MHA decided to use the theme, Risky Business, for this May. MHA will focus its education and advocacy efforts on the “habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or could be signs of mental health problems themselves.” In the last few years, American society has become much more accepting of certain forms of mental illness—but myths and misconceptions still abound. Experts estimate that approximately 1 in 5 Americans will experience some sort of mental health issue in their lifetime. So, the stakes are too high to keep our collective heads in the sand. What are some behaviors that fall under the MHA’s classification of risky business? There are a wide variety including risky sex, excessive spending, marijuana use, troublesome exercise and eating patterns, prescription drug misuse, and gaming addictions. Part of MHA’s goal is to better educate young people, as well as their parents and families, about how these risk factors may indicate an underlying issue with mental health—or even be an issue itself. How can you get involved? It starts with learning more about Mental Health Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a host of opportunities so you can help spread MHA’s message of tolerance and understanding. You can take the #stigmafree pledge, and help change the way we think and talk about mental illness. You can get creative and find a way to share your own story regarding mental health. You can organize or participate in community events and activities that may be planned in your area. Or you can spend more time learning more about what it means to live with a mental health issue today in America. Whatever you decide, your personal observance of Mental Health Month can help bring greater understanding about mental health and wellbeing to your peers and community. Get involved and help replace stigma with hope. Note: In observance of Mental Health Month, GeneSight will be publishing posts about some of the habits and behaviors highlighted in MHA’s Risky Business campaign throughout the month. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... 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Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more
Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more
Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more