May is Mental Health Month: Do More For 1 in 4

1 in 4: That’s how many adult Americans live with a diagnosable mental health condition.

While mental health and substance conditions are common, they are extremely treatable and individuals go on to recover and lead full and productive lives.

May is Mental Health Month, The Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey (MHASWNJ) is spreading the word about mental health and how important it is to overall health.

Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago by The MHASWNJ’s national organization, Mental Health America, to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all.

One sad fact is that many people living with a mental health condition—as high as 50 percent—never seek or receive help due to stigma, lack of information, cost or lack of health insurance coverage. Many people may be reluctant to ask for help or don’t know where to find it.

But there are many community and national resources that can help people find support and treatment.

The passage of the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act also expands access to care. That law, which applies to groups of more than 50 employees, doesn’t require coverage for mental health and substance use conditions. But if it does, that coverage must be on a par with coverage for other medical conditions. Higher deductibles, steeper co-pays and other restrictions are no longer allowed for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

It’s important that more people have access to treatment and services because there is a great deal of knowledge about how to identify and even prevent mental health conditions.

And there are tested tools available that can help every person face difficult times and challenges and improve their resiliency.

Remember, a healthy mind is just as important as a health body.

Mary Lynne Reynolds, MPA