“May is known for several holidays (Mother’s Day and Memorial Day among others), but did you know that May is Mental Health Month?”
That was the quote that kicked off the inaugural post of Mental Health Month, 2020. However, no one was certain exactly the scope of how different the mental health of the world would be a year later. There were some who did not anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic would even be a year-long affair.
As the pandemic’s effect on our daily lifestyles grew, and as “shelter in place” policies became the necessary norm, many individuals found their quality of mental health decreasing. Per an article from KFF, “During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in ten adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019.”
Now, as the world becomes vaccinated and the prospect of herd immunity looks like a more and more certain possibility, we will use this year’s Mental Health Month to reflect on how we’ve adapted, coped, and carried on and what needs to be fine tuned for the path moving forward.
With that in mind, let’s get back to our regularly scheduled program … what even is Mental Health Month? Originating in 1949, mental health service affiliates throughout the United States have observed May as a month to reach out and communicate the importance of healthy mental maintenance, and how working on and maintaining positive mental health will positively affect every facet of your life.
Much like we did last year, we will post weekly blogs concerning mental health — from practitioners and staff to the everyday folk who just need a little “tune up.” So stay tuned throughout the month, and remember … at Optimae, we’re at your side, on your side.