HEALTH COMMITTEE

Serious mental illness (SMI) rose among all ages of Black and African American people between 2008 and 2018.

• Despite rates being less than the overall U.S. population, major depressive episodes increased from 9 percent-10.3 percent in Black and African American youth ages 12-17, 6.1 percent to 9.4 percent in young adults 18-25, and 5.7 percent to 6.3 percent in the 26-49 age range between 2015 and 2018.

What impacts your mental well-being?

• Biological factors, such as family history or changes in body chemistry.

• Life experiences, such as trauma or loss.

• And typical day-to-day events that can make us feel “blue”.

Mental well-being changes over time

• It changes as the demands placed on a person change mental well-being is negatively affected when the demands exceed the person’s resources and coping abilities.

• And a person’s resources and coping abilities change with age. What is stress?

Stress generally refers to two things:

1) The psychological perception of pressure.

2) The body’s response, which involves multiple systems, from metabolism to muscles to memory.

Common effects of stress on our total well-being:

Burnout, just like stress, can lead to mental and physical symptoms.

When should I seek professional help?

Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:

• Difficulty sleeping.

• Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes.

• Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable.

• Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities. You are not alone in your journey to mental well-being. Talk with your primary care doctor about you and your family’s total health. The mental well-being of you whole family is just as important as your family’s physical health. Do not be afraid to find a therapist or support group to help you deal with your thoughts, feelings, and life changes.