Mental health exists on a spectrum, and many people struggle daily with feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress, or low energy. While awareness has improved in recent years and stigma has decreased, many people still feel "off" but push forward anyway rather than seek help. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to pause and reflect on your mental health and its importance. Early awareness can make a real difference, both for yourself and for someone you care about. CareATC provides screenings and confidential mental health services to help you get ahead of struggles before they grow.
Conversations around mental health matter for everyone, even if you have never personally experienced a mental health condition. More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and over the course of a lifetime, most people will face some period of depression, anxiety, or prolonged stress. Despite how common these experiences are, stigma remains a real barrier, and many people suffer in silence. Mental health is health, and protecting your emotional well-being is just as important as caring for your physical health. Mental Health Awareness Month is a chance to build habits and awareness that extend well beyond a single month on the calendar.
Knowing the most common signs of mental health struggles can help you tell the difference between short-term stress and patterns that persist over weeks. Common emotional signs include persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, and feelings of hopelessness. Because mental and physical health are closely linked, symptoms can also show up in the body as fatigue, sleep disruptions, appetite changes, or frequent headaches. Behavioral signs can be harder to spot but are equally important. Withdrawing from social activities, missing work, or increased substance use can all point to something deeper going on. For some people, these signs are subtle. You do not have to be in crisis to reach out. If you or a loved one’s mood, health, or behavior has shifted in ways that feel out of character, that is worth paying attention to.
Like physical health, mental health responds best to a proactive approach. Early intervention can improve long-term outcomes, reduce the risk of complications, and support the people around you who may also be affected. Left unaddressed, mental health challenges can affect your physical health, your relationships, and your ability to function at work. The mind-body connection is well-documented, and chronic stress is linked to serious conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, and immune dysfunction. Your CareATC provider is equipped to address both physical and mental health, taking a holistic, whole-person approach.
You do not have to navigate mental health struggles alone. CareATC providers are trained to assess and treat mental health concerns in a confidential, non-judgmental setting. Your care team can offer screenings, primary care conversations, and referrals to counselors, psychiatrists, or behavioral health specialists as needed. Even at an employer-sponsored clinic, your health information is completely private. Your employer will never know if you seek mental health treatment. If you are ready to reach out, you can schedule an appointment or simply talk to your care team. If you are not sure where to start, it is okay to just say "I haven't been feeling like myself." Even if you are not ready to talk to a provider yet, a conversation with a trusted friend is a meaningful first step. Research shows that regular social connection can help reduce loneliness and combat depression. CareATC is here when you are ready.
References:
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, December 13). Mental illness – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Mental health by the numbers. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. (n.d.). The power of early intervention in mental health: A pathway to wellness and recovery. PPI. https://ppimhs.org/newspost/the-power-of-early-intervention-in-mental-health-a-pathway-to-wellness-and-recovery/
Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological bulletin, 130(4), 601–630. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.4.601
Texas Health Resources. (2023, April 6). Study shows one short chat a day with friends can help mental health. Texas Health Resources. https://www.texashealth.org/areyouawellbeing/Behavioral-Health/Study-Shows-One-Short-Chat-a-Day-with-Friends-Can-Help-Mental-Health