The Importance of Mental Health

We all know that that our physical health is important and that we should eat a balanced diet get regular exercise, have our regular physical checkups, immunizations, and vaccinations. Even though we don't always follow through at least we are aware. What most of us are not aware of, however, is that we should all get regular mental checkups as well. I mean if you think about it, it only makes sense. Your mind is just as important as your body, is it not? Actually (if you think about it) your mind is more important than you body. Mental problems can actually cause many physical ailments. There is such a stigma in the world today about mental health. We make jokes. We have stereotypes. What are we afraid of? Aren't we all crazy?

I find it extremely frustrating and sad that according to the CDC suicide is the third, I repeat the third leading cause of death for young people age 15-24. It is the eighth leading cause of death for all males in the United States and women have reported attempting suicide three times more often than males in their lifetime. The only reason for that is, because males are four times more likely to succeed in their attempts than females. Globally a person kills themselves every 40 seconds.

If these statistics shock you, then I'm glad. I think that is a gigantic, blinking, red sign that we are not getting the help we need. The days of Ozzy and Harriet are over. That is if they ever really existed except in TV land. Families today no matter how much we love each other are screwed up. It's a fact. Parents no matter how much you try you are inevitably going to infect your kids with your own mental issues that haven't been worked out. It's really no wonder that there are people going 'crazy' all over killing people. We all have a breaking point.

We have to stop the cycle and the only way to do that is to get the help we need. I'm not saying run to your nearest psychiatrist and get all the drugs you can so that we can be a nation of zombies. Rather I am imploring you to seek out a therapist or join a support group. Find someone to help you work through your issues. None of us go through life or come out of childhood unscathed. It is just to what degree we are injured. Some wounds we can get over on our own but some we don't even realize and by the time we do they have lead us down the path we didn't want to choose.

If you are not absolutely happy with your life and happy with who or where you are then there is probably some issue that is still haunting you. You may be aware of it but too prideful to seek help and that's were you make it worse. The longer a wound goes untreated the more infected it gets. Until you eventually have puss-oozing out beyond your control, no matter how many Band-Aids you use. It's time to WAKE UP people! We are not in Kansas anymore! This is real and it is a real threat to the survival of us all but most of all our children. Mental health is a serious issue and it needs to be addressed. We need to make a choice. Don't we want to live happy and fulfilled lives? Well, from one nut to another, I know I do.