CLEVELAND — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and officials are working to break the stigma surrounding the subject.
“Talking about it is probably the best way to reduce that stigma,” said Dr. Leslie Heinberg, vice president of psychology at the Cleveland Clinic. She pointed to the resources available from the National Mental Health Alliance, including a crisis hotline and support groups. She also suggested contacting your primary care provider.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased need for these resources. A study by the World Health Organization found that cases of anxiety and depression jumped 25% worldwide in the first year of the pandemic. The American Psychological Association has reported an increase in demand for treatment, an increase in workload and longer waiting lists than before the pandemic.
Heinberg emphasized that mental health and physical health go hand in hand.
“We need to see ourselves, our patients, our friends and our neighbors as whole people. We think about how we feel physically, and we need to think about how we feel psychologically and mentally.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources, contact NAMI at (800) 950-NAMI or email [email protected]. Its hotline is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
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