Mental Healthcare is Healthcare

What is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

What are Mental Illnesses?

Mental illnesses are serious disorders that can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental disorders are common; more than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life. But there are treatments. People with mental health problems can get better, and many of them recover completely.

Why is Mental Health Important?

Mental health affects your well being and your overall sense of self. Positive mental health allows people to realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Learn More About Mental Health

Resources to Learn and Understand

If you'd like to learn more about mental health, specific conditions, and research, the following websites are excellent expert resources to provide you in-depth information.

MentalHealth.gov

One-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/

NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Health

Provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. This is a helpful website to understand diagnoses and available treatments. https://www.nami.org/

American Psychiatric Association

An organization of psychiatrists working together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental illness, including substance use disorders. https://www.psychiatry.org/

Articles

We have collected a variety of articles to help you understand and cope with mental health issues you may be experiencing.

CDC "Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19"

HelpGuide "Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Uncertainty"

HelpGuide "Coping with Depression"

NAMI: "7 Tools For Managing Traumatic Stress"

Psychology Today "How to Concentrate When You're Working at Home"

Psychology Today "Ten Tips to Mitigate the Loneliness of the Pandemic"

Psychology Today "ADHD and Emotional Trauma"

Psychology Today "Emotional Eating in the Time of Coronavirus"

Psychology Today "Methods of Alleviating Anxiety"

Psychology Today "How to Cope with PTSD"

Psychology Today "Living with Uncertainty"

University of Virginia "How to Protect Your Mental Health During a Quarantine"

Videos on Mental Health

The following are informational videos on the importance of mental healthcare, signs and symptoms, and ways to cope.