MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!

Achieving total health and wellness in individuals and communities involves educating, preserving and strengthening our mental health. The most common mental health problem is depression. The stigma surrounding mental illness is a powerful barrier that stops people from getting the help they so badly need. People with depression feel ashamed, and they fear discrimination about a condition that is real and disabling.

I promise you, there is hope. I have lived with depression. I have questioned my value to others and whether I wanted to continue living. I was feeling horrible, physically and mentally, and wasn’t sure why this was happening. Days seemed to go on forever, and the night brought terror, as well.

Somehow, I made it through this challenging time. I finally realized I needed help, so I made an appointment with a psychiatrist. His comfort and prescribed medication, along with talk therapy, gave me a new beginning.

Within three weeks I felt a calm come over me, as though I had been given another chance at life. It is so important to realize that depression is a disorder just like diabetes or heart disease and that it is treatable. Severe depression makes people feel isolated, helpless, and question their self worth. It’s important to know that these feelings are part of this illness and that we can get professional help.

Everyone can do their part to help alleviate the stigma associated with mental health by sharing this story with a loved one. We can also bring hope to others so they will not suffer in silence. It’s our duty to take care of our mental health just as we would our physical health because Mental Health Matters!
For more information on Mental Health visit www.nmha.org, or visit:
Long Beach Mental Health Center
1975 Long Beach Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90806 (562)599-9280
Emergencies (800) 854-7771
Mental Health America-Village ISA