At Uptown Studios, our first priority is social change. We want to inspire people from the Sacramento area to be the good they want to see in the world. For May, we continue this endeavor by highlighting a topic that has been the center of attention over the last few years: Mental Health.
Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness month across the United States. Today we celebrate and recognize how multifaceted mental health is in our communities. It is layered in the fabric of our identity and a reflection of our social welfare. Tying together the emotional and physical state of being.
It is important to normalize conversations regarding mental health as conditions are more common than what the media may portray. In fact, “Mental health disorders are among the most common health conditions faced by Californians: Nearly 1 in 6 California adults experience a mental illness of some kind.”
Why Mental Health Awareness is Important
Being aware of mental health can help you and loved ones. The more time you take recognizing your psychological state, the more likely you are to incorporate healthy habits to improve well being, and seek help for yourself or loved ones when needed. Here are some reasons why mental health awareness is so important:
1.You will be able to understand symptoms of mental distress
Symptoms of mental distress are often overlooked or not recognized as being related to mental health. Some common symptoms include:
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Loss of appetite
- Impulsive decision making
- Excessive use of drugs or alcohol
- Excessive use of social media
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and community
- Extreme mood shifts
- Paranoia, worry, or anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
2. You will be able to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health
Imagine for a second that you are walking down the street. You hit a crack in the pavement, fall forward, and land on your arm. Upon inspection you realize that your arm is in terrible pain, can hardly move, and may be broken. What do you do next? Would you sit inside your house and hope that your arm would heal by itself? Do you hide it from your family and friends out of fear of being rejected? Do you wait until it worsens and grows a life altering infection? Do any of these solutions sound like they will mend the broken arm? No, you would go to the doctor to examine your arm and provide treatment that would offer long term healing. Why then do we treat mental health differently than a broken arm?
Lack of education surrounding mental health has created a negative stigma for those struggling with illness. “Nearly nine out of ten people with mental health problems say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives.” If we came together as a community to gather resources and build awareness, there would be a positive shift in the conversation surrounding mental health. By changing the narrative of how to view mental health, people experiencing mental illness will be more likely to talk about their issues and ask for help when needed.
Mental Wellness Resources in Sacramento
If you are struggling with your mental well being and are looking for help, please utilize the resources below. If you are in need of immediate emergency assistance, please call 911.
Sacramento County Community Support Team
916-874-6015
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Assistance in urgent situations to get people access to the services they need
211 Sacramento
916-211
All types of resources
Sacramento County Mental Health Services Online Intake Form
Non-emergency services with a 3-5 day response time
https://mentalhealthservicerequest.saccounty.net/
For more mental health resources in Sacramento, please visit this website for more information: https://namisacramento.org/resources/crisis-contacts-services/
With that being said, please prioritize your mental health. Do something kind for someone, check in with your loved ones, and ask your friends if they are okay. Sometimes, it’s okay to not be okay, but when you are ready, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
