Mental Health

Wellbeing
Sectors	Wellbeing
Contact	Wilfred Pinfold
Topics	Age-Inclusive Communities Community Engagement Economic Development Education and Training Measurement Mental Health Physical Health Quality of Life
Activities Open 988 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022. Unraveling the Intersection of Incarceration Homelessness and Mental Health Perform analytics to understand the profiles of people who are high utilizers of emergency and social services and are incarcerated regularly. Data sources will be added over time to create a system that will allow workers at hospitals, jails, social services, or EMS to better understand the history and needs of the person with whom they are working in order to provide community support services necessary to break the cycle of incarceration and homelessness.

Authors

Mental health refers to a person's overall well-being in relation to their emotional, psychological, and social functioning. It encompasses a wide range of mental states and conditions, including mood, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

A person's mental health can be influenced by many factors, including life events, genetics, and physical health. When a person's mental health is good, they are likely to feel positive about themselves and their lives, and be able to cope with the normal stresses of daily life. When a person's mental health is poor, they may experience a wide range of negative emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, and may have difficulty functioning in daily life.

Some common mental health conditions include:

• Depression: a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities
• Anxiety disorders: excessive and unrealistic worry or fear about everyday situations
• Bipolar disorder: a condition that causes swings in mood from depression to mania
• Schizophrenia: a serious mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality
• Eating disorders: abnormal patterns of eating, such as anorexia or bulimia.

It's important to note that mental health is not the absence of mental illness, it is a state of well-being where one can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

Mental health is a vital part of overall health and well-being, and it's essential for people to take care of their mental health just as they would take care of their physical health. This can include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and seeking help when needed. Communities can play a key role in promoting and improving mental health. Here are a few examples of ways that a community can take action to support mental health:

• Promote awareness: Raise awareness about mental health within the community and reduce the stigma around mental illness.
• Provide access to mental health services: Ensure that mental health services are easily accessible and affordable for all members of the community. This can include providing information and resources about mental health services, as well as working with local providers to make sure that services are available and culturally appropriate.
• Create a supportive environment: Encourage positive social connections and create opportunities for people to come together, such as community events, clubs, or support groups. This can help to reduce isolation and increase social support.
• Promote healthy living: Encourage healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. These practices can help to improve overall health and well-being, including mental health.
• Support education and employment: Provide educational and employment opportunities, as well as support services to help people to acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
• Support families: Provide support and resources to families, such as parenting classes, counseling, and respite care. This can help to strengthen families and reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on mental health.
• Encourage community involvement: Encourage and facilitate community members to get involved in activities and decision-making processes that affect the community.
• Supportive policies and regulations: Encourage local government to implement policies and regulations that support mental health and well-being, such as mental health parity laws, workplace mental health programs, and emergency response plans.

It's important to note that improving mental health is a collective effort and requires collaboration between different sectors, such as healthcare, education, social services, and the community. By working together, communities can create an environment that supports and promotes mental health for all members.