We live in a rapidly-changing world that can be complex to navigate.
About half of Americans can remember a time when we were not constantly connected and it was easier to tune out the noise of the world, while the younger half of the population can’t imagine life without the internet.
Today’s 24/7-connected world has a significant impact on mental health.
The disturbing imagery in the media we are exposed to today can be deeply unsettling. At the same time, our current technology also allows us to mobilize and provide collective support more efficiently during natural disasters or injustice.
Ironically, loneliness is an increasingly serious public health concern despite that connectivity. We can now have real-time conversations with friends and family on the other side of the world. However, the constant connection also means we will know if we weren’t invited to a friend’s party down the street. Recent survey data show that more than half of U.S. adults (58%) are lonely.
Finding a sense of calm and focusing on well-being when you are having mental health concerns can be daunting in our fast-paced society. It can be especially challenging to know where to start.
May is Mental Health Month, and Mental Health America of Kentucky is raising awareness of the important role mental health plays in our lives. We are encouraging members of the community to take action toward protecting their mental health and overall well-being.
This May, MHA Kentucky will focus ita efforts on helping members of the community to:
• Learn how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world
• Act by building a coping toolbox to manage stress, difficult emotions and challenging situations
• Advocate to improve mental health for themselves, the ones they love, and their community.
Mental Health America has created a toolkit to help individuals figure out where to start. The toolkit provides free, practical resources for addressing mental health. Go to https://mhaky.org/programs/mental-health-month/ or mhanational.org/may to learn more.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition and are unsure of where to start, take a free, private mental health test at mhascreening.org to determine next steps.
MHA Kentucky has a variety of free resources including mental health screenings online at www.mhaky.org. For those who need specific information or a presentation on a specific issue, they can call 859-684-7778 or via email at mhaky@mhaky.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok and Instagram.
It’s important to remember that working on your mental health takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of modern life and develop long-term strategies to support yourself — and others — on an ongoing basis.
Mental Health America of Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, working statewide in mental health education, systems improvement and advocacy. It is an affiliate of Mental Health America National.