Tag Archives: #Wellbeing

Bleeding Edge Mental Health Updates

May 2025: Shine a Light on Mental Health Awareness 💚

As the vibrant hues of spring bloom around the Northern Hemisphere, May arrives not only with warmer weather but also with a crucial message: it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. This annual observance provides a vital opportunity to break down stigma, educate our community, and advocate for the well-being of ourselves and those around us.

Mental health is an integral part of our overall health, just as important as physical wellness. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act. Throughout our lives, we all experience challenges that can impact our mental health, and recognizing this shared human experience is the first step towards fostering a supportive environment.  

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month encourages us to engage in open and honest conversations about mental health. Stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help, leaving them to navigate difficulties in isolation. By talking openly about our struggles and listening with empathy to others, we can create a culture where seeking support is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.  

Why is Mental Health Awareness Month Important?

  • Reduces Stigma: Open discussions help to dispel misconceptions and negative stereotypes associated with mental health conditions.  
  • Increases Understanding: Education about mental health challenges and available resources empowers individuals to recognize symptoms in themselves and others.  
  • Promotes Help-Seeking Behavior: Creating a supportive environment encourages individuals to reach out for support when they need it.
  • Advocates for Change: Collective awareness can drive policy changes and increased funding for mental health services.  
  • Fosters Community Support: Knowing that others care and understand can make a significant difference in an individual’s recovery journey.

How Can You Participate in Shiloh and Beyond?

  • Educate Yourself: Take some time this month to learn more about different mental health conditions, their symptoms, and available treatments. Reputable organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) offer a wealth of information.  
  • Start Conversations: Talk openly with your friends, family, and colleagues about mental health. Share your own experiences if you feel comfortable, and actively listen to others.
  • Be Empathetic: Practice understanding and compassion towards those who may be struggling. Even small gestures of kindness can make a big difference.  
  • Support Local Initiatives: Look for mental health awareness events or initiatives happening in Shiloh and the surrounding areas. Consider volunteering or donating to local mental health organizations.
  • Share Information Online: Use social media to share informative articles, personal stories, and resources related to mental health awareness. Use relevant hashtags like and .
  • Prioritize Your Own Well-being: Remember that taking care of your own mental health is crucial. Make time for activities that bring you joy, practice mindfulness, and don’t hesitate to seek support if you need it.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s work together to create a community that understands, supports, and prioritizes mental well-being for all. By breaking down the walls of stigma and fostering open conversations, we can empower individuals to seek help and build a healthier, more compassionate society. Let’s make May a month of meaningful change and ongoing support for mental health. 💚

Here are some mental health resources, including websites and toll-free numbers:

Crisis Support:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
    • Call or Text: 988 (available 24/7 in the US and Canada)
    • Chat: https://988lifeline.org/
    • TTY users: Use preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
  • Crisis Text Line:
    • Text: HOME to 741741 (24/7 free, confidential support via text in the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland)

General Mental Health Information & Support:

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):
    • Website: https://www.nami.org/
    • Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 10 PM ET)
    • Text: NAMI to 62640
  • MHA (Mental Health America):
    • Website: https://mhanational.org/
    • They also have local affiliates – check their website to find resources in your area.
    • Crisis Text Line: Text MHA to 741741
  • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):
    • Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/
    • National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (for treatment referral and information)
    • TTY: 1-800-487-4889
    • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (for emotional distress related to disasters)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Specific Populations:

Finding Treatment:

American Psychological Association: https://locator.apa.org/ (Find a psychologist)

FindTreatment.gov: https://findtreatment.gov/ (SAMHSA’s confidential and anonymous resource)

Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists (Therapist finder)

American Psychiatric Association: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry-menu/find-a-psychiatrist (Find a psychiatrist)

Bleeding Edge Mental Health Updates, Lifestyle

The Transformative Power of Healthy Relationships on Mental Well-being

Personal relationships, particularly our romantic partnerships, possess an incredible capacity to shape our mental well-being. Recent research published in Current Directions in Psychological Science by Susan C. South illuminates the profound connection between dysfunctional relationships and mental illness.


Let’s delve into the captivating insights of this study and discover how prioritizing healthy relationships can positively impact our mental health.

The impact of relationships on mental health cannot be underestimated. Thriving in well-functioning relationships contributes to our overall well-being, while enduring conflict and dissatisfaction can inflict significant harm. It is disheartening to learn that individuals trapped in unhappy partnerships are more vulnerable to experiencing mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, alcohol use disorders, and generalized anxiety.

Challenging prevailing assumptions, the research suggests that dysfunctional relationships can be precursors to mental health problems, rather than the other way around. Longitudinal studies have revealed that distressed relationships increase the likelihood of developing mental health issues. This underscores the importance of proactively addressing and transforming relationship dynamics to safeguard our mental well-being.

Researchers exploring the intricate link between marital distress and relationship satisfaction have ventured beyond surface-level analysis. By studying long-term heterosexual married couples, they have unearthed invaluable insights into the complex interplay between these factors and mental health outcomes. Understanding the nuances of this connection offers hope for building healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

Twin studies have shed light on the multifaceted role of genetics and environment in the relationship-mental health connection. Genetic factors contributing to relationship distress can also manifest as symptoms of psychopathology. Moreover, environmental influences, including emotional and cognitive risks, as well as the presence of support systems and effective emotion regulation strategies within distressed relationships, play pivotal roles.

While marriage and relationship conflict are widespread experiences, it is essential to recognize that not everyone succumbs to the detrimental effects of dysfunctional relationships. Individuals vulnerable to psychopathology may find their symptoms triggered by distressed romantic relationships. However, it is crucial to note that some possess protective factors that shield them from such repercussions.

This research invites us to shift our focus from broad personality traits to the intricate web of goals, values, and needs that each individual brings to their relationships. Understanding how these aspects are met, or unfortunately unmet, by our partners provides a powerful lens for comprehending the complex dynamics that underpin mental well-being.

The study underscores the transformative potential of healthy relationships on our mental health.
Dysfunctional relationships can serve as warning signs and precursors to mental illness.

We can feel the urge to reflect on the quality of our relationships and seek professional help if we find ourselves resonating with the challenges discussed.
By prioritizing supportive and nourishing relationships, we embark on a path towards enhanced mental well-being.
Let’s all proactively nurture our relationships, tune into our needs, and courageously seek the support necessary to cultivate profound emotional flourishing.

Many forms of help are readily available, offering guidance and healing along this transformative journey.
Reach out, however possible.


Remember,
You ARE NOT ALONE.
You matter,
You are worthy, of love,
and you are enough.