SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
LEARN THE SIGNS, RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS, GET HELP

A noted author once wrote, “People assume you aren’t sick unless they see the sickness on your skin.” This month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. (BWA) invite you to join the “I’m Into Mental Health” campaign supporting Mental Health Awareness Month by becoming Inspired, Informed, and Involved.

Inspired: According to statistics compiled by NAMI and the World Health Organization, one in five adults and one in ten children in the United States experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. In addition, approximately 450 million people around the world currently suffer from some form of mental illness. These figures do not account for the hundreds of millions of friends, family, and others who are also affected by a loved one’s mental health.

The good news is that the best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90% of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life. However, in the past year, African Americans have only used mental health services at half the rates of their white counterparts. BWA believes that we are all vested in helping to see that those who need help, get help, and encourages everyone to speak up and speak out in support of mental health.

Informed: A mental illness is a condition that can impact an individual’s thinking, feelings, mood and, in some instances, how a person functions. Various factors may make people susceptible to experiencing mental health conditions. These can include genetics; environment; stress; lifestyle, and brain structure.

Among the many mental health conditions affecting many Americans are:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – a developmental disorder which can cause issues relating to attention, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior.
  • Anxiety Disorders – anxiety that becomes overwhelming and influences a person’s life.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder – a developmental disorder that adversely impacts one’s ability to socialize and communicate.
  • Bipolar Disorder – dramatic high-to-low swings in a person’s mood, energy or thinking.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder – severe and unstable mood swings, low self-esteem, impulsive behavior, and instability that often affects relationships.
  • Depression – Ongoing despondency or dejection.
  • Eating Disorder – a preoccupation with food and weight.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsession), and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions).
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – A disorder resulting from traumatic events, i.e. military combat, assault, accident, or natural disaster.
  • Schizophrenia – A disorder that causes people to lose touch with reality and often presents itself in the form of hallucinations, delusions, and severely confused thinking or behavior.

Involved: Here are some steps that you can take to help raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

  • Learn How to Help Someone in a Crisis – i.e. bring them to the nearest hospital or emergency room; call 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). You can also seek crisis support online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com
  • Share Your Story – Tell others about how your life has been affected by a mental health issue. People and families need to know that they are not alone and your story could have a powerful impact on others. 
  • Understand the Power of Language and How It Can Contribute to Stigma – Sometimes, commonly used phrases such as “crazy,” “mental,” “OCD” or “psycho” can keep those in need of care from seeking assistance. Words matter and they can hurt. Think about what you say before you say it. 
  • Take Care of Yourself – Experts advise that making sure that you are meeting your own needs and “managing” yourself helps support mental health and relationships. Compassion fatigue is real, and helping or wanting to help others experiencing emotional stress can take its toll on family and friends. Recognize that the best way to help others is to pay close attention to your mental, physical, and spiritual health. 
  • Join the Conversation – Help spread the word about Mental Health Awareness Month and the “I’m Into Mental Health” campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media. Here are some of the hashtags supporters are using to promote conversation:
    • #MHM2017
    • #mentalhealth
    • #MentalHealthAwareness
    • #MentalHealthMatters
    • #endthestigma

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Month, visit https://www.nami.org.

♦♦♦

Sources:
National Alliance on Mental Illness, https://www.nami.org
World Health Organization. The world health report 2001 – Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope

OTHER NEWS

A MESSAGE OF PEACE, LOVE AND TOLERANCE

A MESSAGE OF PEACE, LOVE AND TOLERANCE

The holidays are a time of joy and happiness for many but for some it is also a time when we miss our loved ones who are no longer with us. As a country, we are experiencing events that are meant to divide and separate us. The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. and our Collaborating Organizations embody what our country should be – working together.

The diversity of who we are as humans is the tapestry of peace and love highlighted as we gather in our homes and places of worship. Whatever you celebrate, let’s embrace the spirit of the Peace, Love and Tolerance.

A Message of Thanksgiving

A Message of Thanksgiving

In this season of Thanksgiving let us embrace the words of renowned poet Maya Angelou-

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”

Thanksgiving is a time when we gather around the table with family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate our blessings of the past year. It is our time to put aside our differences, give thanks for our blessings, and express our gratitude.

As we are move into the last weeks of 2023, we have witnessed and experienced some of the most challenging times that many of us have ever seen. Amid these times, we have been brought closer together not because of our similarities but because of our differences.

During our 2019 Symposium, Our WA President Gwainevere Catchings Hess said,

THE BLACK WOMEN’S AGENDA, INC. ENDORSES KETANJI BROWN JACKSON’S  NOMINATION TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

THE BLACK WOMEN’S AGENDA, INC. ENDORSES KETANJI BROWN JACKSON’S NOMINATION TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. (BWA) today announced its enthusiastic support for President Joseph Biden’s nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. “While there are many individuals, including numerous Black women, who are exceptionally qualified to assume a seat on the nation’s highest court, Ketanji Brown Jackson comes to this moment with impeccable credentials,” said Gwainevere Catchings Hess, BWA’s National President.

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If you`re 75 or older, RSV can be a serious health threat. To help protect yourself from severe illness or hospitalization, you should get an RSV vaccine. Talk to your doctor today.

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Are you an entrepreneur? Are you interested in learning about how to start a business or are you looking to build your entrepreneurial toolkit?

Join Financial Expert Martin Booker of @AARP for a financial refresher and a panel of illustrious entrepreneurs as they converse about “Why I Am an Entrepreneur” at the @theblackwomensagendainc Entrepreneurial Economic Empowerment webinar TODAY, October 10th at 8:30 pm ET.

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The Black Women`s Agenda is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre.

Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to Senior Advisor to The President of The United States, Joseph R. Biden effective immediately. She will maintain her position as Press Secretary simultaneously with her role as Senior Advisor.

"I think if you are passionate about what you want to be or where you want to go and you work very hard to that goal, it will happen. And, yes, you`ll be knocked down and you`ll have some tough times. And it won`t be easy all the time, but the rewards are pretty amazing, especially if you stay true to yourself.- Karine Jean-Pierre

Congratulations Karine!

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