Did you know that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five American adults experiences a form of mental illness each year. Furthermore, one in 20 American adults lives with a serious mental health disorder like bipolar disorder or long-term depression. 

If you find that you are mentally struggling, you are not alone. It is not uncommon to experience feelings of stress, sadness, irritability, coping inabilities or other mental health challenges throughout your life. However, if these feelings occur frequently and impact your day-to-day routine, you should seek help.

If your feelings are escalating into thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 911 or a crisis service immediately. Otherwise, let’s read on to learn more about what to do if you are mentally struggling.

What is Mental Health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being in which individuals realize their abilities, cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. However, when someone encounters hardships in life, those struggles can negatively impact their mental health by disrupting their thoughts, mood and behavior over time. For instance, WHO notes violence and socio-economic pressures as two examples of many risks to mental health. 

What is a Mental Health Disorder?

The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) define a mental health disorder (or a mental illness) as an occasional or chronic condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior. Some examples of mental health disorders are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 

Most people will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Even so, there are sadly many misconceptions that still surround them. These misconceptions often leave affected individuals feeling alone, not understood and like their voices are unheard. However, if you are struggling with a mental health disorder, it is not your fault, and there is help available. To learn about the different types of mental health treatments we offer at Seneca Health Services, check out our blog, Different Types of Mental Health Treatments. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Mental Health Disorder?

If you are mentally struggling, be aware that the following symptoms may be signs of an underlying mental health disorder: 

• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Frequent or persistent feelings of sadness, anger, fear, worry, or anxiety
• Frequent emotional outbursts or mood swings
• Confusion or unexplained memory loss
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Intense fear or anxiety about weight gain
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Unexplained changes in school or work performance
• Inability to cope with daily activities or challenges
• Withdrawal from social activities or relationships
• Defiance of authority, truancy, theft, or vandalism
• Substance use, including alcoholism or use of illegal drugs
• Unexplained physical ailments

What Should You Do if You Are Having a Mental Crisis?

In the case of a mental health crisis, call 911 or contact a crisis service. At Seneca Health Services, we provide crisis services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Our community engagement coordinators are familiar with the warning signs of many behavioral health challenges and provide prevention assistance for those struggling with suicidal ideations, substance use disorders, grief, depression, anxiety and more. 

Remember, you do not have to battle your thoughts alone. You matter, and your life has value. Do not feel shame in requesting help. There are healthy ways to regain control of your life and cope with the mental struggles you are facing. If you would like to speak with one of our community engagement coordinators, do not hesitate to call one of the numbers listed at the bottom of the page. 

What Should You Do if You Are Mentally Struggling?

Talking with someone about the mental struggles you are facing can help reduce the seemingly powerful influence those struggles have on your life. You could speak to a trusted parent, family member, friend, religious leader, mental health therapist or health care provider, for example.

When a patient enters our therapy services at Seneca Health Services, they will find compassion, companionship, understanding and more. We have therapists certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), among others. A trained therapist will guide interactions in a setting that encourages reflection, accountability, empathy and builds positive communication skills. Our therapists will also work in conjunction with the psychiatric medical provider if medications are needed.

Additional Ways to Help Yourself

There are some other things you can do to help yourself if you are mentally struggling. Each person is unique, so experiment with the following methods to see which ones work best for you.

• Incorporate relaxation techniques, like listening to relaxing music
• Eat a balanced diet
• Keep physically active
• Stay hydrated
• Have a daily routine
• Have healthy relationships
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Keep a mood diary to track symptoms to see what makes them better and worse 

We Can Help You | Seneca Health Services 

If you find yourself mentally struggling and need an ally, please know that our team at Seneca Health Services is here and ready to listen to you. Our mission is to assist our patients in finding a life they want to live.

At Seneca, we provide a holistic approach to mental health and substance use treatment. Our professional staff is dedicated to improving our patients’ health. People come to us for mental health assistance for many reasons, including anxiety, behavioral problems, personal tragedy, depression, difficulty dealing with stress, substance use disorders and more. 

Furthermore, we personalize patient care to ensure our patients receive adequate treatment. We listen and will not provide any more or any less than what you need. We also respect diversity and offer specialized services to address the needs of our patients. Seneca Health Services is always here for you whenever you are ready. 

If you need help or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Seneca office nearest you or use the link provided here.

Greenbrier County, West Virginia: (304) 497-0500

Nicholas County, West Virginia: (304) 872-2659

Pocahontas County, West Virginia: (304) 799-6865

Webster County, West Virginia: (304) 847-5425