Cook County Health Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Cook County Health recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month as a way to provide support, educate the public, advocate for policies that support people with mental illness, and fight stigma.
Although taking care of your mental health can mean seeking professional support and treatment, it also means taking steps to improve your emotional health on your own.
Making these changes can boost your mood, build resilience and add overall enjoyment to your life:
• Exercise
• Write down something you are grateful for
• Get enough sleep
• Drink plenty of water
• Relax in a warm bath
• Enjoy 15 minutes of sunshine
• Surround yourself with good people
• Quiet your mind through meditation, mindfulness or prayer
Depression is more than feeling unhappy. Intense feelings of sadness and other symptoms, like losing interest in things you enjoy, may be signs of depression. While treatable, depression can be caused by family history, drug use, serious illness or a major life change.
If you have experienced suicidal thoughts, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Someone is there to help.