Happy Mental Health Month!

April showers might bring May flowers, but May brings Mental Health Month. Did you know that there's been a Mental Health Month since 1949? That's 68 years of support, and yet, there's still a stigma surrounding mental illness.

In honor of Mental Health Month, I'd like to share some tips and information from Mental Health America:

• Various drugs and medications can alter your mental state, which is doubly dangerous for people with mental illness. However, some argue that medical marijuana is effective at treating certain mental health conditions. As a matter of fact, in the past year medical marijuana usage among those with a mental illness was 11.7% higher that those without a mental illness.
• Mom, don't read this part! Sex and physical connections between consulting adults has been proven to have health benefits - especially when it comes to conditions like depression. It basically has the same effect as exercise, as in it gets all the good chemicals flowing in your brain that may be lacking due to your depression. However, compulsive sex is risky, for both your mental and physical health.
• The internet is a blessing and a curse. We are constantly surrounded by screens, but not having a good balance between time on- and offline can be harmful to your brain. Spending more time online can be a coping mechanism for those with social anxiety issues, but this only leads to further isolation.
• Exercise, but keep it reasonable. Lack of exercise, or even too much, can have negative effects on your mental state. However, exercising without pushing yourself too hard can have many benefits that extend well beyond physical health. (Check out my blog on exercise and mental illness)

For more information about mental health risk factors, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/. They also have toolkits to support mental illness for individuals and organizations. 

How are you celebrating Mental Health Month? If you have no plans and you'd like to support the cause, check local nonprofits and colleges for events in your area. Facebook is also a great place to find events. Be a part of ending the stigma.