October is Mental Health Awareness month. We are so blessed to have our contributing writer, Morgan, shed light on this subject.
According to MentalHealth.gov, mental health refers to the emotional, physiological, and social well-being of an adult, teenager, or child, and because mental health awareness month is quickly approaching, I deemed it necessary to shed light on this vital but somehow ignored subject. As a 17-year-old girl, I can’t say that this issue has never affected me. I can’t say that I’ve never stayed up all night, tossing, turning, and hoping that maybe, when the first ray of sun strikes the Earth’s surface the next morning, these statistics will improve. I can’t say that these issues that are deemed unimportant by society are not a part of my story. I think that whether we’ve personally experienced it or watched a loved one fight the battle to recovery, mental health issues and awareness have meaning in everyone’s lives. Whether we all want to admit it or not, this issue is more relevant now than ever before.
In a recent study on mental health, The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that approximately 43.8 million adults in the US experience illness every year. Approximately 1 and 5 adolescents 13-18 experience this at some point in their lives, and 13% of children are likely to have undergone some type of mental problem as well. In 2015, NAMI found that 8% of teenagers live with anxiety, 11% with a mood disorder, and 10% with a conduct disorder. Additionally, a shocking 20% of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood, and finally, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among my generation, with a young person taking his or her life every 100 minutes.
Mental health is not something to be ignored. Among this generation alone, the population of those who have struggled with this detrimental issue has grown exponentially, and the numbers continue to climb. However, there is something you can do to help.
Spread awareness. Let victims know that they are not alone, and help them seek the appropriate help. Most mental illnesses are treatable, and with the proper help from doctors and therapists, victims can be completely cured. For more information about the importance of this topic, please visit www.mentalhealth.gov.
Morgan Champion is an ambitious North Forsyth High School senior who believes in the power of serving others, reaching for her dreams, and having a positive attitude—no matter her circumstances. Besides writing for “Cumming Local,” Morgan enjoys volunteering at her church, at the Forsyth County Peer Court, and at various clubs and organizations throughout her school.
To read more about Morgan and our other contributing writers, click here.
