Health Education Resources
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Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has designated as time to focus on the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Throughout May, people throughout the country will actively participate in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Mental Health Awareness Month provides a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on mental health resources, local programs and initiatives, as well as helpful information that is available for specific populations such as caregivers, youth and young adults and underrepresented communities.
Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be signs of a mental illness isn’t always easy. There’s no easy test that can let someone know if there is mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.
Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior, or personality
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
Mental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children. Because they’re still learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are behavioral. Symptoms in children may include the following:
- Changes in school performance
- Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
- Hyperactive behavior
- Frequent nightmares
- Frequent disobedience or aggression
- Frequent temper tantrums
Where To Get Help
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.
Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor or state/county mental health authority for more resources.
Contact the NAMI HelpLine to find out what services and supports are available in your community.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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The origin of National Minority Health Month was the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 388) that “a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month should be established to promote educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other populations experiencing health disparities.” The resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other communities experiencing health disparities.
National Minority Health Month is an inclusive initiative that addresses the health needs of people of color. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of local communities to eliminate the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness in minority populations through prevention, early detection, and control of disease complications. The desired outcomes of this annual campaign are to:
- Build awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups.
- Encourage action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications.
This year’s theme is, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections.
Source: https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/
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February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including those in the African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic communities.
Every year, Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes. Nearly 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease that includes heart disease and stroke. But you can reduce your risk and improve your heart health by following the ABCS:
- A – Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider.
- B – Control your blood pressure.
- C – Manage your cholesterol.
- S – Don’t smoke.
What do I need to know about high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the United States. About 2 out of every 5 African American adults have high blood pressure, and less than half of them have it under control.
How is blood pressure measured?
Two numbers (e.g., 140/90) help determine blood pressure. The first number measures systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. The second number measures diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. If the first number is 140 or higher, or the second number is 90 or higher then you have high blood pressure and should talk to your health care provider.
When and how should I check my blood pressure readings?
Check your blood pressure readings on a regular basis, even if you feel fine. Generally, people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. You can check your blood pressure readings at home, at a pharmacy, and at a doctor’s office.
How can I control my blood pressure?
Make control your goal! Work with your health care provider to develop a plan for managing your blood pressure and follow their guidelines, which may include:
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables and choose foods low in sodium. African Americans as well as adults aged 51 years and older and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should consume only 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
- Get moving. Staying physically active will help you control your weight and strengthen your heart. Try walking for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, at least 5 days a week. This will give you a total of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity.
- Take your medications. If you have high blood pressure, your health care provider may give you medicine to help control it. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking the medication. Tell your health care provider if the medicine makes you feel bad. Your doctor can talk with you about different ways to reduce side effects or recommend another medicine that may have fewer side effects.
Your doctor is not the only health care provider that can help you follow the ABCS. Nurses, pharmacists, community health workers, health advocates/navigators, and other providers can work with you and your doctor to help you achieve your health goals.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all U.S. adults, and stroke is the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of disability. As frightening as those statistics are, the risks of getting those diseases are even higher for Black people. Historical and systemic factors play a major role in these statistics. Among them are adverse social determinants of health, the conditions in which a person is born and lives. The determinants include lack of access to health care and healthy foods, and other societal issues.
The good news is Black people in the U.S. can improve their odds of preventing and beating these diseases by understanding the risks and taking simple steps to address them.
It is important to have a checkup and work with a health care professional on your specific risk factors and the things that you need to do to take care of your health.
Helpful resources:
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Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States — especially for African Americans and older adults. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. Unfortunately, half of the people with glaucoma don’t know they have it.
Glaucoma doesn’t have any symptoms at first, but over time it can cause peripheral (side) vision loss and blindness. That’s why we need your help to get the word out about glaucoma. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but treatment can often stop the damage and prevent further vision loss. People who are at risk for glaucoma need to know what steps they can take to help protect their vision. There’s no cure for glaucoma but starting treatment as early as possible can help stop vision loss.
The only way to check for glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk. You’re at higher risk if you:
- Are African American and over age 40
- Are over age 60, especially if you’re Hispanic/Latino
- Have a family history of glaucoma
Talk with your doctor about your risk for glaucoma and ask how often you need to get checked. If you’re at higher risk, you need to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with glaucoma, you may have questions about what this means. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but here’s the good news — it can be treated. And starting treatment early is the best way to stop the damage and protect your vision.
Talk to your eye doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. Visiting the doctor can be stressful, especially when you’re dealing with a new diagnosis.
It helps to have questions written down ahead of time when visiting your doctor:
- What type of glaucoma do I have?
- How often do I need to get a checkup for my glaucoma?
- What are my treatment options?
- What will happen if I don’t get treated for my glaucoma?
- How will I know if my treatment is working?
- What are the possible dangers or side effects from treatment?
- Does glaucoma put me at risk for other eye diseases?
- What can I expect for my vision — now and in the future?
- Are there any activities I should avoid?
This Glaucoma Awareness Month, join the National Eye Health Education Program in encouraging everyone at higher risk for glaucoma to get a dilated eye exam. It’s the best way to protect your vision!
Source: NIH, National Eye Institute