Lawrenceburg, In. — When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it can be a lot to handle. It is important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally. That is why this year’s theme for May is Mental Health Month – Fitness #4Mind4Body – is a call to pay attention to both physical health and mental health, which can help you achieve overall wellness in your everyday life.
Mental Health America and Community Mental Health Center, Inc., Lawrenceburg, encourage you to learn about Fitness #4Mind4Body. Mental Health Month calls attention to strategies and approaches that can help everyone achieve good health. Observance of the month was started 69 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
Last year, Mental Health Month materials were seen and used by more than 230 million people, with more than 10,000 entities downloading Mental Health America’s Mental Health Month toolkit. Information is available on Mental Health America’s website at www.mentalhealthamerica.net.
Fitness #4Mind4Body shows how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent onset of or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic problems. It can also help people recover from these conditions. Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally well.
“It is important to look at your overall health to achieve wellness,” said CMHC Executive Director Tom Talbot. “We need to focus on finding the right balance to benefit both the mind and the body.”
“We know that living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, but it can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on these successes. By being aware of your overall health every day, you can go a long way to ensure Fitness #4Mind4Body,” said Mr. Talbot.
About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health disorder sometime in their lives, with first onset typically occurring in childhood or adolescence. Most people have supports that allow them to succeed – home, family, friends, school, and work. Intervening effectively during early stages of illness can save lives and put individuals living with mental illnesses on the path to recovery.
CMHC uses a network of facilities in Batesville, Brookville, Lawrenceburg, St. Leon and Vevay to provide services in the region. The Center offers an array of services, including outpatient counseling, inpatient hospitalization, community and school-based services, and housing services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses. CMHC employs professional staff, from case managers to psychiatrists, to provide these services.
If you, or a friend or a neighbor, are dealing with depression, anger, stress, substance use problems or addiction, grief, or another mental health issue, please contact CMHC at (812) 537-1302, or visit our website at www.cmhcinc.org to find an office near you. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (812) 537-1302, or toll-free at 1-877-849-1248.
All CMHC services are provided without regard to race, religion, disability, gender, color, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political belief, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
