Mental Health Month Marked in May
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — May is national Mental Health Month, and National Alliance on Mental Illness Berkshire County is promoting awareness throughout the month.
The designation of May as Mental Health Month was started 69 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. This year, Mental Health Month is focused on the importance of balance in both mental and physical health, and how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, type two diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also help people recover from these conditions. Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making a person both physically and mentally healthy.
Mental Health American has developed a series of facts on the importance of and connection between physical and mental health. Also new this year is the #4Mind4Body Challenge, where the organization calls on everyone to complete a small task each day during the month of May – and post about it on social media using #4Mind4Body. For more information on this challenge and on Mental Health Month, visit the website.
As part of Mental Health Month, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is held annually on May 10. This day, which was started by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national observance focused on the importance of an integrated health approach to supporting children, youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance who have experienced trauma. On May 10 at 7 p.m., a live webcast will be available online. at https://www.samhsa.gov/children/awareness-day/2018. This webcast will include a virtual town hall format in which viewers can ask questions of mental health experts through email or social media.
Locally, a rally will be held on Thursday, May 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. on the lawn in front of North Adams Town Hall.
In addition, NAMI Berkshire County - a local organization providing services and support to individuals and families impacted by mental illness - will post helpful and informational articles and resources all month long on their Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information about NAMI Berkshire County, visit its website.
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