May 2008
 
Spotlight

May is National Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month was created to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in four American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year—making it the leading cause of disability.

Common symptoms of mental illness include:

• Feeling sad, burned out or useless
• Ongoing worries, fears and anxiety disorders
• Sudden and intense apprehension, fear or panic

• Unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches and chronic pain (especially backaches) with no explicit cause
• Chronic fatigue and lack of energy
• Avoiding people and other social phobias
• Chronic nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Dramatic changes in sleep or weight
• Substance abuse

The Health Nudge
The focus of this year's Mental Health Month is "social connectedness." One could argue that the popularity of the Internet and social-networking sites has enhanced how people connect with each other. Others might argue that the more time we spend on the Internet, the less time we spend engaging in meaningful, face-to-face human contact. Read our special report from Harvard Health Publications that discusses whether Internet addiction is a "distinct mental disorder."

Also, could it be that obesity is a mental health issue? Read our report from Harvard Health Publications to find out.

And, a World Health Organization (WHO) survey found that many people who need services for mental illness are not receiving them.

Visit our Learning Centers directory and browse a roster of more than 1,000 diseases and conditions, as well as information about causes and risks; symptoms; signs and tests; and treatment options.

Health Experts Sound Off

From JC Jones, MA, RN:

• May is National Mental Health Month—Get Connected
• Healthline Analysis Election 2008: Candidates Speak Out on Mental Health

From Teen Health 411 writer Nancy L. Brown , PhD

• Mental Health Challenges and Resources for Older Adolescents

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