May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Bringing more attention to our understanding of mental illness and the need to increase access to services, President Obama has declared May as National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Amida Care joins in the national effort to highlight the role of mental health in our overall health and wellness. Each year, tens of millions of Americans struggle with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder. Many will also simultaneously encounter physical health ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. There is no health without mental health. Help, support and services are available for members by talking with your primary care provider, care manager or calling the Amida Care Behavioral Health Unit at 646-786-8650.

While important throughout the entire year, May offers us an opportunity to focus in on the relationship between mind and body, and how the quality of such things like diet, exercise, sleep, levels of stress and social connections impact our mental health. With one in five adults experiencing a mental illness each year, and less than half receiving care, this is also a fitting time to tackle stigma and other barriers to treatment.

For more information and resources on promoting mental health and well being, please visit Mental Health America.