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DCP Encourages Mental Health Awareness
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Wed, May 18th, 2022
by DCP Staff
May is known as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Downeast Community Partners, as a Community Action Program (CAP), encourages everyone to learn more about mental health — for themselves and others – today and every day.
In this month dedicated to awareness, we join other Community Action Programs in shining a spotlight on the importance of mental health, and sharpening awareness around how mental health impacts every aspect of our lives.
Mental health has an effect on our overall health, productivity and happiness. People of all ages can experience mental health issues, children included.
One in five people will experience a mental health episode in a given year.
One in six children aged 2-8 have received a mental, behavioral or developmental diagnosis.
One in four adults with a mental health condition also has an addiction, as substances may be used to cope with mental health.
It takes a village: how do we, as a community, help with mental health? Awareness is the first step.
- Recognize that mental health requires a year around commitment.
- Open a dialogue: be a part of removing any stigma by discussing mental health openly and without bias.
- Check in on your loved ones. Many of us will have that “1 in 5”, “1 in 6”, or “1 in 4” in our lives. The statistics point to how close each of us is to mental health conditions within our families and community.
- Find and share resources about mental health in your community.
- Educate yourself about different mental disorders and how they impact individuals - knowledge can increase compassion and proper recognition within our community.
- Consider supporting organizations that support mental well-being. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a reservoir of knowledge about mental health, services and support. If you have questions about mental health, NAMI is a fabulous resource.
The work Downeast Community Partners (DCP), and Community Action Programs as a whole, do within our communities is part of the alliance of support for those living with mental health conditions. Our mission at DCP is “to improve the quality of life and reduce the impact of poverty in Downeast communities”. By striving daily towards that mission, DCP and its CAP partners with similar mission scopes, are lifting up many of those touched by mental health difficulties. If you would like to support us in our mission to improve the quality of life in Downeast communities, we welcome your gift.