What is something everyone deals with but (hardly) anyone talks about?
Anxiety, depression and other mental illness silently affects many. Did you know that mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States and the second leading cause of death among American youth ages 15-24?
Rarely do we ask a friend or coworker, “How are you doing with your depression?” though we wouldn’t pause when asking “How is your broken ankle healing?” The existence and continuation of stigma compounds existing challenges hindering access to mental health care — particularly within immigrant and refugee communities.
This July, ICHS recognizes Minority Mental Health Month. In doing so, we address the increased anxiety and fear rippling through our communities. Whether a result of changing national politics, local pressures or the isolation that comes naturally whenever someone moves to a new place and is among a new culture, learning how to better handle periods of stress with resilience is always relevant.
Throughout the month, we will be posting a series of Myths/Facts surrounding mental health in order to shed some light on key issues.
You can help our communities become stigma free by recognizing the importance of mental health and the weight of concerns that matter to each of us. Learn more here.