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Mental Health America
sky   In Crisis?
  24 Hour Crisis
  & Suicide Hotline
  (317) 251-7575 or
  (800) 273-TALK

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May in the USA is Mental Health Month

May in the USA is Mental Health Month!! Being healthy doesn't just pertain to physical health--our mental health is just as important. How we feel about ourselves and our coworkers, how we handle stress in everyday challenges and how we maintain the relationships in our lives are all factors that affect our mental health and can also affect our physical health. If you have a friend or family member who's been diagnosed with a mental illness, you might be wondering what you can do to help. Besides medications, the support of family, friends and peers remains an essential element in the treating of mental illnesses.
There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness, all of which can be triggered by a variety of causes such as particular situations or events, an illness, genetics, biochemical imbalances, or any combination of those factors. Above all, it's important to remember that there is help and hope for your loved one. Here are some important tips to help you be productive in coping with mental illnesses:

  • Educate yourself. Learn about the diagnosis, symptoms and available treatments. Local mental health offices, public libraries, and the internet are all good resources to learn about the forms of mental illnesses.
  • Accept your feelings. You may find yourself denying the warning signs, worrying what other people will think or wondering what caused your loved one to become ill. Accept that these feelings are normal and common among others in your situation.
  • Be compassionate. Recognize that your family member or friend may feel scared and confused after receiving a diagnosis. Although some people are relieved to get diagnosed and actively seek treatment, it may be devastating to others.
  • Practice active listening. Listen to your family member or friend and express your understanding back to them. Acknowledge the feelings he or she is experiencing and don't discount them, even if you believe them to be symptoms of the illness.
  • Maintain hope. There is hope for recovery, and with treatment, many people who have mental illnesses return to productive and fulfilling lives.

Mental Health America of Jackson County is a local resource and referral office, an agency of the United Way. We support those affected by a mental illness and their families. Each May, we have a membership campaign drive to raise monies and support our local programs: Christmas Gift Lift, Family Support Fund, Thumbody which promotes building better self-esteem in children, and our educational activities. Won't you take the time and a little money to help our cause? There are 4 levels of membership: Associate $5, Friend's level is $10, Patron's level is $20 and Patron Plus level is $25 and above. More people than ever are needing the support that we can give in our community. You may make a check out to Mental Health America of Jackson County and mail to P.O.Box 51, Seymour, Indiana 47274. You'll feel good that you've helped others who can't always help themselves.




Contact Us

Laura Stahl
P.O. Box 51
Seymour, IN 47274
Phone: (812) 522-3480
Fax: (812) 524-8176
E-mail: mhajc@cabjackson.org