What comes to mind when you think of mental health?
Having good mental health means you feel well, enjoy life and can cope with stress. It also means you have the tools to help you deal with life’s challenges and adapt when things change.
Mental health disorders (also known as behavioral health disorders) impact about 20% of adults in the United States. They make it difficult to function in day-to-day life and may interfere with relationships.
There are many reasons why someone may develop a mental health disorder, including inherited traits, environmental exposures, and brain chemistry. Some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can be linked to an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.
The first step toward recovery from a mental health condition is getting an accurate diagnosis. The next step is finding treatment.
Your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan that is customized to meet your needs. This may include talk therapy, medication or other treatments.
You can get mental health services through your local healthcare system, school or a community agency. Some of these services are free, while others cost money.
What do you think about when you hear the word “mental health?”
Most people who are experiencing a mental health problem don’t seek treatment, thinking they will “snap out of it” or that they are something to be ashamed of. But it’s important to remember that everyone experiences anxiety and sadness at some point in their lives. And there are effective treatments available to people of all ages and races.