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Writer's picturepamalston
May 22, 20228 min read

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!




Mental Health Awareness is on the rise however there is still so much more work to be done in terms of awareness and recognition of the myriad signs and diagnoses of mental illness.

In 2022, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the United States will experience a mental health condition this year. Mental Illness affects more than 50 million people in the United States. Currently there are 334, 805, 269 million people in the United States and these numbers include mental health stats that are frequent, dynamic and sadly on the rise. Looking at these figures, mental health cognition should not be stigmatized or no longer ignored. America can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to these numbers.


NAMI Stats report the following:


  • 14% of Asian Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 17% of African American/Black Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 17% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 18% of Hispanic/Latina X Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 19% of American Indian/Alaska Native Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 36% of Multiracial Adults suffer from mental illness

  • 47% of LGBT Adults suffer from mental illness


Suicide rates have increased 35 percent since 1999. 19% of U.S. adults have an anxiety disorder (including the author of this blog). The global pandemic of 2020 worsened these statistics.


Mental Health Awareness month was first celebrated in 1949. The National Mental Health Association & Mental Health American Organization, formerly the National Committee for Mental Hygiene commemorated Mental Health Awareness Month. Clifford Whittingham Beers founded the National Mental Health Association or the National Committee for Mental Hygiene in 1909. Beers came from a family of mental illness and psychological distress. He was one of five children who was institutionalized for mental illness. Beers was confined for depression and paranoia. In these institutions, he saw maltreatment and abuse from the hospital staff to the patients. His book entitled, A Mind That Found Itself (1908) was a firsthand account of the abuse that he suffered and saw in the mental institutions, Beers vowed to be effective for this population. Over three quarters of Americans (75%) say they are not content or satisfied with the state of mental health treatment in this country. 84% who are diagnosed with a mental health condition express the same discontent. In 1908 Beers founded the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene (now called the Mental Health America) for the reformation of the treatment of the mentally ill.


In January 2022, former Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Corrinne Kryst, jumped to her death from the Orion, a 60-story high rise apartment building in Midtown, Manhattan. Kryst, a New York correspondent for the entertainment news show, Extra, was a civil litigation lawyer who worked pro bono to help low level drug offenders.




She was also founder of the blog, White Collar Glam, dedicated to help women dress professionally and affordably in white-collar jobs. April Simpkins, Kryst’s mother said that she suffered from high functioning depression. Kryst was a beautiful, successful, smart, intelligent, and dynamic young woman who suffered from depression. Did her friends and colleagues realize her struggles? This is proof that no matter how successful one may be, mental health and wellness or lack thereof has no relevance to your social status, net worth, education or societal status. Mental health must be acknowledged, treated and no longer swept under the rug of oblivion. Our society is groaning with dynamics that can push anyone over the edge of the cliff of life. We have economic wars, racial tensions, pandemic PTSD, political diatribes, spiritual warfare as we live in a state of constant influx, duality, panopticon and vacillation. The world as we know it is completely unstable and irregular.


We live in a protopia, subject to change, narratives of the day and volatility at any moment. What will you do to stay grounded and stable?


My heart aches and I cry for Cheslie as I have had my own battles with anxiety and depression. What was this beautiful soul thinking as she took the elevator to the 60th floor? Depression doesn’t have any particular look or warning signs, in fact it can be mistaken for loss of interest, fatigue or mood swings, when in fact, those are the symptoms and warning signs of depression. May her sweet soul rest in peace; as she was in torment and most likely isolated to cope with her diagnosis. How can one truly recognize what depression looks like? And what does high functioning depression look like?


High functioning depression is more common than you may think. Dysthymia, a type of high functioning depression (HFD) is diagnosed in 1.5% of adults in the United States annually. Symptoms last for days or years and causes a low mood that effects changes in eating and sleeping. Many suffer in silence and feel as though they may be a burden to others. So they hide behind their work, activities and successes. HFD looks completely different to the belief of what one may think is truly depression.


Here is what high functioning depression looks like due to the person being completely functional:


  • Over achievement/achiever

  • Motivated

  • Social

  • Smiling

  • Successful

  • Perfectionists


Here are the warning signs:


  • Low self esteem

  • Fatigue

  • Hopelessness

  • Difficulty Concentrating

  • Struggle with self-worth

  • Body Image/Dysmorphia

  • Worthlessness

  • Self-critical

  • Coping with drugs/alcohol

  • Disconnected from others

  • Loss of interest in activities

  • Pretending everything is fine

  • History of trauma/abuse

  • History of depression

  • People pleasers

  • Tend to help others and avoid help for themselves; do not want to be a burden

  • Brain Fog

  • Suicidal thoughts


This blog is dedicated to Miss Cheslie Kryst and so many others who have fought the battle of mental health and transitioned. You are loved and we will never forget your bravery and willingness to battle what was bigger than you. Mental illness should not be a subject that is avoided but rather one that is discussed often and consistently to raise awareness, cognition, teach coping skills and impart strategies to conquer and overcome. Prayer, faith-based techniques and mediation should be combined with a holistic approach and medication if necessary. The days are over where we are oblivious to the signs and symptoms of this epidemic. As we face the horizon of a new society, 4th industrial revolution and technocracy, it is imperative now more than ever to master techniques to combat this spiritual battle so many face.


The 2020 pandemic exacerbated feelings of loneliness, isolation, fears, uncertainties, worry, chronic health problems, PTSD, anxiety, depression, hyper realities, child abuse, domestic violence, disparities, increase substance and alcohol abuse, as well as a host of cessation in psychological growth, speech delays and social, linguistic delays and normal developments in children, teens, developmentally delayed, seniors and adults that we may never know the full extent of effects for years to come.


This blog is dedicated to those who battled and are still fighting mental illness:


Naomi Judd (transitioned 2022), Robin Williams (transitioned 2014), Brooke Shields, Demi Lovato, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Michelle Williams, New York Giants wide receiver, Brandon Marshall and founder of the mental health initiative, Project 375, Alicia Keys, Wayne Brady, Meta World Peace, DMX (transitioned 2021), Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lewis.

You may be reading this and dealing with mental illness or you may know a family member experiencing mental health attacks… please call or seek help.



Faith Can Help


If you are like me, you can attest to the existence of a higher power, the Most High God or Yahweh. In this blog, website and on my Youtube channel, I believe in the Most Highest God or Hamashiach. This is where faith can aid to manage mental health issues. Belief in a higher power will connect the mind and body to produce an ameliorate positive impact on your mental and physical health. Do not try to heal on your own, reach out for help and seek at least one person that you can trust and confide in. Just 10-20 minutes of meditation and prayer can be beneficial to mental wellbeing. I also found that stretching, relaxation techniques and engagement in worship services can offer support and positive impact on overall health and wellbeing. For more information, please contact NAMI help line 1-800-950-6264 or check out the resources at the end of this blog.


Strategies


Having a strategy or plan to combat your condition is a lifeline. How do you know what works and what doesn’t? Sit down and make a list of the things that bring you peace or where you feel safe and at ease. This could be a walk-in nature, looking at a photo album to reflect on good memories, phoning a friend or reading a good book. Medication has been prescribed to me however, I prefer a holistic natural approach to wellness combined with sleep, proper nutrition and mental health techniques to healing.


Here are some strategies below that work for me:


  • Daily Prayer/Faith Based Techniques

  • Mediation

  • Dancing

  • Staying off social media

  • Avoiding negative people/situations

  • Healthy environments

  • Recognizing triggers

  • Eating organic, non-processed foods

  • Limit alcohol and wine

  • Listening to my favorite music

  • Walking

  • Hiking

  • Reading

  • Spending time in nature

  • Photography

  • Journaling

  • Writing

  • Stretching

  • Exercising

  • Spending time with my son/trusted friends/family

  • Therapy (I use Safe Harbor Christian Counseling here in Maryland)


If you want to reach out to me for support or questions or advice, I can be reached at


I am rooting for you and praying for you!


Pam

@4DGiirl3DWorld_


I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10b


Love yourself, take care of yourself and stay connected to someone who you trust and can love and confide it. Take breaks, stay in nature and seek healing drink lots of water and eat well: stay away from processed foods if possible!!!!! Do a fast and abstain from toxic people and places. Please email me if you want tips or advise: getourlifeonline@gmail.com


Resources:


NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness

www.nami.org/reimagine

Use the hashtag #Together4MH to share your story of mental health


Self-Care Resources


Self-Care Blogs and Websites

· Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri Blog-- https://www.mha-em.org/our-blog

· A Network for Grateful Living-- https://gratefulness.org/

· Self-Compassion-- https://self-compassion.org/

· @selfcareisforeveryone-- https://selfcareisforeveryone.com/blogs/

· Possibility of Change-- https://possibilitychange.com/

Mindfulness/Meditation


Ease anxiety, find some peace, be in the moment.

· UCSD Center for Mindfulness—https://medschool.ucsd.edu/som/fmph/research/mindfulness/mindfulness-resources/Pages/default.aspx


Stay Connected!

In the midst of continued social distancing, it is more important than ever to stay connected to friends and family. When you can’t be with your people in person, give some of these a try.

· Zoom— https://zoom.us/

· Marco Polo— https://www.marcopolo.me/

· Houseparty— https://houseparty.com/


Get Outside

Getting out in nature is a proven stress-reliever. Even when you can’t take yourself outside (due to weather, work, quarantine, etc.), just looking at pictures and videos of nature can help!

· Around St. Louis

o St. Louis Zoo Live Animal Webcams— https://www.stlzoo.org/visit/thingstoseeanddo/livewebcams

· …And beyond!

o …And 30 other US National Parks-- https://earth.google.com/web/

o Shedd Aquarium Underwater Beauty Live Cam— https://www.sheddaquarium.org/exhibits/underwater-beauty-exhibit

o National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Dives— https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/

o Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia)-- https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/virtual-tour/

o Great Barrier Reef-- https://attenboroughsreef.com/


At-Home Fitness

In the immortal words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!” It also reduces stress, boosts self-esteem, and improves sleep. There are a trillion at-home workouts you can try (just search YouTube)—here are just a few!

· Nike Training Club-- https://www.nike.com/ntc-app


Art and Theater

Art to feed the soul, no tickets needed!

· St. Louis Art Museum—https://www.slam.org/

· Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis— https://camstl.org/programs/cam-at-home/

· Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater— https://www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access

· The Metropolitan Opera’s Nightly Opera Stream—https://www.metopera.org/

· Shakespearean Sonnets read by Sir Patrick Stewart— https://twitter.com/SirPatStew


Journaling Prompts

Journaling can aid in self-reflection, building emotional intelligence, goal setting, and much more. Grab a notebook and a pen (or maybe colored pencils or watercolors if an art journal is more your speed) and consider some of these prompts.

· Simply + Fiercely, “Self-Care Journal Prompts for when Times are Tough”-- https://www.simplyfiercely.com/self-care-journal-prompts/

· Mama Finds Her Way, “142 Self Care Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery, Self-Love, and Wellbeing” -- https://mamafindsherway.com/self-care-journal-prompts/

· PsychCentral, “30 Journaling Prompts for Self-Reflection and Self-Discovery”-- https://psychcentral.com/blog/30-journaling-prompts-for-self-reflection-and-self-discovery/

· Artful Haven, “Mindful Art Journal Ideas for Self-Awareness and Artistic Growth”-- https://artfulhaven.com/mindful-art-journaling-ideas-for-self-awareness-and-artistic-growth/


You can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text ‘MHA’ to 741741. You can also visit the following websites for more information:


Take care, Stay Well and God Bless You


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