PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illnesses affect tens of millions of people in the U.S every year, but only half of those receive treatment.
“It’s okay to ask for help, it’s okay to lean on your support network, on your family, your friends, your church family, whoever, when you’re not feeling the best, and you need someone to just lend a hand,” said Lexi Smith, Behavioral Health Network Supervisor for Circuit 14 of NWF Health Network.
When your mental health starts to slip, your body and mind will tell you—behavior changes, losing interest in what you love, or feeling more irritable than usual.
With May marking National Mental Health Awareness Month, professionals are urging people to speak up and seek support.
“There are services out there for individuals who do not have insurance or who are underinsured and maybe feel that maybe with Medicare or some other type of insurance, they just won’t be able to get the help they need. It’s definitely available, with the NWF Health Network, that’s one of the things that we provide,” said Smith.
NWF Health Network is the local managing entity for mental health services in Northwest Florida.
Smith says help is just a call or text away. Dial 988 if you are in a crisis or need support. If you need food, housing, therapy, or any other resource, you can connect through NWF Health Connects.
“We are all human, we all go through things that can sometimes become very stressful, and it is okay to reach out for help, and I think that is why we have mental health awareness month,” said Smith.
Breaking the stigma and connecting people to local resources—that’s the goal.
Remember: you are not alone.
To see a full list of NWF Health Network’s providers click HERE.
For more on National Mental Health Awareness Month click HERE.
To read “Think Ahead: Mental Health Crisis Plan” click HERE.
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