It Is Mental Health Awareness Month In The Quad Cities

Though we should all be mindful of our mental health year-round, May is the designated Mental Health Awareness Month which is a perfect reason to practice some self care. It is no secret that social isolation and the pandemic in general have created a less than ideal environment to foster mental well-being.

Loads of not so great events have taken place during 2020 leading mental illnesses like depression and anxiety to increase drastically.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, depression rates have increased from 1 in 10 US adults in 2019 to 4 in 10 US adults which is a huge rise. These numbers unfortunately are as a result of nonmodifiable factors, but that doesn't mean there aren't things you can do to make sure you stay as healthy as possible!

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According to NAMI the main message being amplified is the fact that "you are not alone". Even though you may feel isolated, it is more important than ever to stay connected to the community and support each other through our struggles. Lucky for us, NAMI has provided a Mental Health Awareness Event Guide for 2021 which includes ways to share your own personal stories, connect with others, helplines, activities and events and so much more. You can download this on their website by clicking here.

Whether you or a loved one are experiencing a mental illness or not, it also remains important to help foster a stigma free community.  NAMI states that

"Every day, we have an opportunity to help create broader understanding of mental health, overcome stereotypes and break down barriers."

You can sign the Stigma Free Pledge by clicking here and help educate yourself and others to create a compassionate and accepting environment for those who are experiencing mental illness.

Take care of yourselves QC!