More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience a mental health concern each year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). More than 1 in 20 adults experience serious mental illness that interferes with or limits major life activities. Mental illness, including depression, substance use disorders, anxiety or psychosis, can happen to anyone.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Fairfax County and across the country. By talking about mental health this month, you can help shine a light on the presence of mental health issues and eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness.
Here are some ways you can take action:
- Enroll in one of Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board's (CSB) Mental Health First Aid courses. Mental Health First Aid is a public education program offered by the CSB that can help communities understand mental illnesses, seek timely intervention, and save lives.
- Take part in a CSB Opioid Overdose & Naloxone Education Training to learn what to do and not to do in an overdose situation, how to administer life-saving naloxone, and what to do afterwards.
- Take one of CSB’s free, confidential online mental health screenings. Completing these anonymous screenings will help you determine if your recent thoughts or behaviors may be associated with a common, treatable mental health issue.
- Practice healthy self-care strategies to improve your mental health:
- Exercise. Even a small amount can make a big difference in your day.
- Connect with someone. Make a phone call or visit with a friend or family member.
- Start a cycle of encouragement; tell others what you appreciate about them.
- Listen to music that inspires and motivates you.
- Write a poem on something you care about, or an article on something you feel is interesting.
Get involved, learn more, help your community and reduce stigma. Support is available, treatment works and people do recover. Call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for guidance and resources at 703-383-8500 (TTY 711). CSB Emergency Services are available 24/7 at 703-573-5679 (TTY 711). Call the nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 703-527-4077 or 988, or text “CONNECT” to 855-11, for urgent mental health-related distress. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.