It’s no surprise that mental health is worsening among all age groups, and unfortunately, many people are not receiving the therapy or treatment they need. The good news: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conversation around mental health is gaining speeding and becoming more “normal.”
Given that February is a month devoted to love and kindness, why not put a spin on it and show yourself some love and kindness? While many people focus on practicing gratitude during trying times, I believe that the most important thing, especially in relation to the pandemic, is providing validation and support for just how hard things are right now. It’s also necessary to manage expectations. Life may not look the way you hoped or anticipated, but remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can. And if things start to feel too heavy or overwhelming, consider it a sign that it’s time to seek professional help.
Mental Health Statistics
If you need some more convincing when it comes to the importance of mental health, take a look at these statistics:
As of late June 2020, 40 percent of adults in the U.S. reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse.
One in six youth (ages 6 to 17) experience a mental health disorder each year.
The most common mental illnesses in the U.S. are anxiety disorders, which impact 40 million adults - over 18 percent of the population.
Half of all lifetime mental illness begins before age 14 and 75 percent begin by age 24.
The average delay between the start of mental illness symptoms and a patient seeking treatment is 11 years.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34 and the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S.
Raising Awareness for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a serious, sometimes fatal, mental health condition that affects over nine percent of the population worldwide. Nearly 29 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. And, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of the disease, as conditions like anorexia and bulimia can be triggered by stress or anxiety and tend to thrive in isolation.
With the goals of educating the public, spreading a message of hope, and providing life-saving resources to individuals in need, the National Eating Disorder Association is hosting NEDAwareness Week from February 22nd through 28th. This year, the theme is Every Body Has a Seat at the Table, with a focus on sparking conversations in marginalized communities that continue to be underrepresented in the field of eating disorders. If you or a loved one is affected by eating disorders, pull up a chair and join the movement!
For more information about NEDAwareness Week, click here.
Reach out to Dr. Kelli Malkasian, PsyD, C.E.D.S. at Coral Reef Counseling, and schedule a free consultation or telehealth appointment today!