Mental Health Awareness Month and The Power of Feedback

Pulse Staff

During the entire month of May, people worldwide acknowledge, educate, and act for Mental Health Awareness Month.

When you think of May, a few things probably come to mind:

May 4th -- referencing a classic intergalactic film series

The realization that school is almost out for summer

The NBA playoffs

Spring is in full bloom, and you can't get enough flower power

Well, May brings so much more. During the entire month of May, people worldwide acknowledge, educate, and act for Mental Health Awareness Month. From the first observation in 1949, thousands of organizations, companies, groups, and individuals are committed to this mission of mental health awareness.

Mental Health: The Obstacles

The gap we see in mental health treatment is the cause of concern. With the broad stigmas, shortages in resources, policy changes, and lack research -- the awareness that needs to be brought to the mental health topic is necessary. More than 70 percent of people who need mental health services lack access to care, creating an obstacle for individuals to know how to heal and businesses to understand how to help those individuals.

Another mental healthcare barrier or obstacle that isn't often addressed is the lack of diversity and racial barriers related to care. Not only are there additional stigmas, but in underserved areas, it's that much more difficult for those in racial minorities or diverse communities to access providers.

With the obstacles that stem from a lack of awareness toward mental health, it's left the perfect opportunity to find solutions. Improving transparency, raising awareness to #StopTheStigma, and finding more opportunities to drive action will ultimately lead to a more inclusive and aware community.

Mental Health: The Solutions

What drives change? Action. How can we bring about action? Through awareness and information necessary to take action. That's where the power of feedback comes into play. Because mental health has widely been considered taboo, it's often difficult for people to talk about it.

With resources available in community centers, underserved populations, and higher education institutions, we create an environment for an individual to talk about and record their mental health journey. Which in turn, allows us to take that feedback to share with public officials, institutions, and countless individuals who have the power to make changes to the mental health space.

Every voice counts and matters. With platforms like Pulse for Good, we can understand the mental health struggles and victories leading to action. With live data and insights into community demographics, Pulse for Good captures the voice of every individual who is looking to be heard.

Take the First Step

At Pulse for Good, we believe in your story. As a part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we want you to know that there are small things you can do to improve your emotional and mental health. For May, try one of the following acts of self-care:

  • Get a good nights sleep
  • Relax in a warm bath
  • Go off the grid, disconnect and enjoy nature
  • Spend time with loved ones
  • Write a letter
  • Smile, even when you don't feel like it

#MentalHealthMatters #YouMatter

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