The month of May is typically associated with spring and growth, but it also marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Month. While highlighting it breaks the silence and stigma of mental illness, it also provides an opportunity to stand with your community and prove that no one has to struggle alone. This year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” is an opportunity to consider what good days look like for not only ourselves but for our community as well. Community participation and sharing information to connect others to appropriate resources are imperative to making the theme of Mental Health Month a reality in our community.
Many of us are struggling (including me) to navigate life during these unprecedented times, but I often pause to think about those who lack the resources or support systems to uplift them. When someone is struggling mentally, they are less likely to exercise, eat well, attend medical appointments, or take medication on a consistent basis. Mental Health does not just impact how a person feels; it directly affects how they function, which can disrupt basic behavior. Making decisions becomes harder in the presence of stress and anxiety, which causes individuals to make fast or easy decisions, or they may avoid making decisions altogether. Over time, their inconsistent behavior can increase risk for chronic diseases. What initially starts as a mental health challenge can gradually become an issue for the body. In order to help address this, conditions like Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety should be discussed the same way that we discuss Diabetes or High Blood Pressure. As a community, we typically don’t look down on a person for having Diabetes, therefore, we should not shame or dismiss someone who has a mental illness. Healthy habits depend on clarity, emotional stability, and energy. So, if a person feels depleted, the inconsistent behaviors become more prominent.
These behaviors can easily go unnoticed and are framed as non-compliance or lack of effort. Yet the reality is that when mental health is compromised, the ability to maintain a regular routine is difficult. In order to have More Good Days Together, we must, as a community, address the topic head-on to begin to minimize the stigma that is associated with mental illness. Unfortunately, the stigma is reinforced in some communities because of cultural beliefs, lack of access, and even mistrust of our healthcare system. It can only decrease when environments are supportive and informed. In efforts to address this, we need to create spaces where people feel comfortable speaking about their struggles so that they are able to help others.
What I love about the work that I do at Outreach Community Health Centers is that everyone does their best to combat the stigma of mental illness by providing culturally responsive care and improving access by offering multiple locations. Stigma can only thrive in silence. When we speak openly and respond with empathy, we make it possible for people to have More Good Days, Together.
Bio
Brandy Lewis, a Milwaukee, WI native, brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, supporting underserved communities through a trauma-informed approach. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a Master of Science in Counseling from Concordia University. Ms. Lewis is deeply passionate about behavioral health and is committed to using her expertise to uplift and empower her community.