Firstly, mental health is nothing to be ashamed of, and 1 in 5 adults struggle with their mental health and 2 in 5 youth struggle with their mental health. Mental health is an integral thing to take care of and it is important that we prioritize it just as much as our physical health.  In fact, depression can increase the risks of diabetes and heart conditions, like strokes and heart attacks. 

Our mental health depends on biological factors like trauma, family history with mental health, and someone’s genes according to samhsa.gov. Mental health can affect how we react, think, behave and how we interact with other human beings. As listed, mental health has such an immense impact on us as humans, and it is important that we take care of our mental health. Some ways to prioritize it is to practice self care, practice mindfulness, eat nutritious foods, get an adequate amount of food, and to talk with others about your feelings. Self care can include doing your favorite hobby, eating nutritious foods and foods that you like, exercising, meditating, etc. Yoga and meditation are various ways to practice mindfulness, and they have been proven to boost one’s mood. Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole foods can also improve one’s mood because it can make someone feel good on the inside and the outside. Additionally, according to St Bonaventure University “...  diet and nutrition influences brain chemistry and gut health.” Getting seven to ten hours is optimal, and few hours of sleep has been proven to worsen depression and anxiety. 

Communicating with those around you is extremely vital and can make you feel more understood and less alone. Sharing your thoughts with others can reduce your  feelings of anxiety because someone else understands your feelings and can support you through whatever you’re going through. According to the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation “... [communication skills] help us clearly express ourselves and stay connected in positive ways…” . Thus, it is essential to keep in contact with others and express your emotions, so that you feel less alone and can be reminded that there are people to support you. 

Some mental health disorders/illnesses are depression, anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, border personality disorder, etc. There are some early signs that you or someone you know may be struggling with mental health illnesses such as having little to no energy, feeling depressed and down, eating/sleeping less or more than usual, etc. If you feel like you or someone you know may be having a mental health problem, call the national mental health hotline.