World Mental Health Day – Shining Light Where It’s Most Needed

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. It is one of the most common health conditions and a leading cause of disability, with mental disorders among the most burdensome health concerns worldwide. In the United States alone, mental illness costs over $193 billion in lost earnings each year. Despite its widespread impact, mental illness often goes untreated due to stigma and lack of access to care. Only around 45% of adults with mental illness received treatment in 2023.  And the prevalence of these disorders is on the rise: 45% of adults age 35-44 reported suffering from a mental illness last year, compared with 31% just 4 years earlier.

Mental illness affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Our mental health ebbs and flows throughout our lives.  We all know what it’s like to feel “down” or to feel anxious. And no family goes untouched by these illnesses.

Take, for example, the situation that Samantha found herself in.  She is a 32-year-old marketing manager who began to feel as though her mind was “sinking” under the compounding stresses of her demanding job, caring for an aging parent, and the grief of a recent breakup. Thoughts of self-doubt and worry spun endlessly. Her sleep was fitful and restless. She felt paralyzed, unable to find joy in once-energizing hobbies and time with friends. Samantha knew she needed help but was uncertain where to turn. She eventually told a friend about how she was feeling, and her friend recommended a therapist.  Samantha began psychotherapy, and almost immediately, the sessions provided a caring, non-judgmental space for her to open up about her struggles. Samantha learned where many of her negative ideas about herself and the world came from, and she gained a more realistic perspective instead of believing her self-doubts. As this process unfolded, her depressed mood lifted. While the work of psychotherapy wasn’t always easy, Samantha described therapy as life-changing:  "I developed healthier coping strategies, and I feel more like myself again. I don't know where I'd be without the support of my therapist."

Like Samantha, Todd was able to find his way to getting the help he needed.  He is a 50 year-old man who has spent much of his adult life dealing with anxiety. A friend recommended an online forum that promotes mental health awareness. Here, he learned that his feelings were not uncommon and that seeking help was not a sign of weakness but of strength. This realization prompted him to contact his primary care physician, who prescribed medication to help with the anxiety and connected him with a therapist.  The combination of medication and psychotherapy set Todd on a path to recovery, and now his anxiety seems manageable rather than interfering with his enjoyment of life. 

Stories like these remind us that World Mental Health Day is about understanding the deeply personal, human experiences behind mental health journeys, and meeting the distress we see in others with empathy and compassion. These narratives underscore how a sympathetic listener can help reduce the feelings of shame and stigma that often accompany mental health struggles, how we can create safe spaces for people to share their experiences without judgment, and how we can suggest possible avenues for getting help to someone who feels lost or stuck. When we remember that all of us have emotional ups and downs, it helps us cultivate understanding for others who are in the midst of a mental health challenge.  And by meeting others’ distress with empathy and interest, we can inspire them to seek good professional care.

This year on World Mental Health Day, spend some time expanding your understanding of mental illness, not as an abstract concept, but as part of our shared human experience. When we talk openly and spread awareness, we contribute to a healthier, more compassionate society by uplifting those in need and advocating for accessible care and support.

If you are struggling with emotional distress, don't suffer in silence, and remember that you don’t have to meet the challenge by yourself. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member or to your primary care physician.  They can support you in finding good treatments, which are available for most mental health conditions. They can also help you find supportive communities where you can learn about resources and share experiences with others who are dealing with similar issues.

Resources for Finding Treatment:

- Talk to your physician

- Use an online therapist finder from a credible source

- Contact a local community mental health clinic

- Inquire if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program

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