Mental Health Stigma

Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (44.7 million in 2016). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe (NIMH). 

Mental health in the United States has a stigma. Too often people view mental health negatively and discriminate against those with mental health issues. My sister is bipolar but I did not find out until after my dad died. She did not want anyone to know. We only found out because she had such a hard time. Her counseling time increased, her medication had to be changed, and with all of that, she needed more help with her two boys. 

My dad passing triggered anxiety in myself. It took five years for me to figure out what was 'wrong' with me. It not only took five years but it also took us moving over 6,000 miles to Taipei, Taiwan where I started working at the Community Services Center as a communications manager.  

The Community Services Center (the Center) is a non-profit organization that helps expats settle when they move to Taiwan. The Center offers new-comer orientations, cross-cultural training, English publications and information, classes, tours, coffee mornings, and counseling. 

The Center began in the 1980's after a tragedy took place within the international community. Taipei at the time did not have any support services available. After much research, officials in Taipei found an organization in Cairo, Egypt. The directors there moved to Taipei to start the Center. (the Center, 2018). This was the beginning of the Center. 

Since working at the Center I've spoken candidly about my anxiety. Mental health should not be taboo. 

While I do think mental health should not be taboo not everyone is ready to come out and speak about it openly. Having sources and contact information readily and easily available is important.

Below are a few articles on mental health issues along with NIMH health topics pages. Through these pages, you can get a better understanding of individual issues. 

Anxiety

Depression

Grief

Additional information on mental illnesses can be found on the NIMH Health Topics Pages.

When someone suffers from mental illness there is not a one size fits all answer. You can take a closer look at counseling here. Sometimes though a person would rather not use medication or counseling services, and that is okay. You can find out a bit more about Mindfulness and Mental Health and Nature to see if these options fit you better as a person. 

Finding Professional Help:

For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator on its website that can be searched by location.

If you are in crisis and need immediate support or intervention, call, or go to the website of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. If the situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.

If you are not ready to seek professional help there are mental health groups on Facebook you can join. Here are a few:
Anxiety/Depression Mental Health Support Group
Bullet Journaling - Mental Health and Mindfulness
Mental Health Advocates International
Mental Health Awareness and Support
Silent Tears (Grief Support)

Data Sources:
https://www.communitycenter.org.tw/
https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/