Why Now Is a Good Time of the Year for Mental Illness Awareness
While MHFA happens throughout the year, January seemed a fitting time to spotlight the initiative and local MHFA trainings. Our own Micah Robbins, who is active in the Coalition and spreading the word about MHFA, explained why January was a timely opportunity to shine a light on mental illness and the need for greater community awareness.
“This is a time of year when it’s dark and we see so many people seeking help,” he said.
Robbins also said winter doldrums and post-holiday letdown can conspire to make January a time when depression is a more of a threat. (A subset of people with major depressive disorder experiences a seasonal pattern to their disease: roughly five percent of Americans have major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, which previously went by the name “seasonal affective disorder.”)
Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
Supporting and promoting MHFA is a natural extension of the work of the Coalition and Beach House Center for Recovery, because of the strong relationship between mental illness and substance abuse. A very high proportion of people with mental disorders use drugs and/or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms.
“The correlation between substance use and mental health issues is in the 70th percentile,” Robbins said. He cited Beach House Center for Recovery’s
Dual Diagnosis Treatment program as further validation that substance abuse and mental illness so often go hand in hand, requiring holistic treatment.
Learn more about
co-occurring addition and mental illness.
What You Learn in a MHFA Training and Why It’s Important
If you’re wondering how to help someone with a substance use disorder and/or mental illness, consider signing up for a MHFA course. The 8-hour course is designed to help you identify, understand and respond to symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse. Participants will receive an action plan for how to help someone in a mental health crisis. You’ll also get connected with mental health resources in your community.
“It’s very important for individuals and families to recognize the need to address mental health issues,” Robbins said. “The faster people get help and have an understanding of the issues they’re facing, the greater their chances of having a life of health and serenity. This is why effective
Mental Health Treatment is crucial."
Find a MHFA course in your area.
Are you struggling with drugs or alcohol? You may be suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. Find healing, starting today.
