Kitty Kincaid, MTS, LSW

Executive Director, New Creation Counseling Center

9 May 2018

May is my favorite month of the year. Maybe it’s because I was born in May or maybe it’s because I’m a mother and May is the month for celebrating mothers! Or maybe I just like getting presents because in May I get a double dose of gifts! I think my kids want me to dress better so that means I get some new shoes for sure and some trendy clothes that I would not pick out for myself. I also love May because of the newness around us! The warm sunshine feels so good after a cold, gray and rainy end of winter. And, then there’s that smell that we take in when we first open the windows! It reminds me of school days, waking up on the first day of summer vacation with my windows open, smelling that fresh scent of air and remembering that I don’t have to get up and do anything! Awww… the memories.

• Mental illnesses can come from a variety of circumstances such as family history, life stresses, physical illnesses, and substance abuse.
• A mental health illness may be chronic and others may be short-lived. 
• Untreated mental illnesses may cause other chronic illnesses and lead to a shortened life span.
• Untreated mental illnesses may lead to suicide.
• Untreated mental illnesses may lead to other problems such as inability to work, financial stress, homelessness, and school drop-out rates
• A mental health illness is not “just in your head.” Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others are real diagnosable diseases.
• All mental illnesses are treatable! 

• Remember that each of us is unique in our experiences, heredity and personality. All of these play a factor in any illness we might have. Mental illness is no different. 
• Read about the experiences of mental illness through books and websites. There are some great insights that people with mental illness have posted that can help us feel empathy for what people experience.
• Don’t be afraid to seek help or encourage your friends and family members to seek help if they are struggling with anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, sadness, or disturbing thoughts.
• Be a great listener to others and refrain from simple answers to life’s complexities. Remember, there are many and varied reasons why people act the way they do and there are many and varied ways to change behaviors. 
• Use person-first language always! An illness does not define the person. Avoid words like Bipolar Jake or The Mentally Ill and instead say Jake who has bipolar disease or the people who have a mental illness. 
• Remember that we all have something in life that we manage. To know what it is, seek treatment and begin a management program is key in our overall health, including mental illnesses.