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.
Modern life can have a significant impact on mental health — for better or for worse. 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 in times of natural disasters or injustice.
And ironically, while our devices make us more "connected" than ever, loneliness is an increasingly serious public health concern. We are now able to have conversations with friends and family on the other side of the world in real time. However, constant connection also means that 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 currently experiencing lonlieness.
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 Summit Medical Group 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, Summit Medical Group wants our patients to focus their efforts on:
- LEARNING how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world.
- ACTING by building a coping toolbox to manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.
- ADVOCATING to improve mental health for yourself, the ones you love, and your 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 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.
You can also call your primary care physician to discuss seeking help for any conditions you may be dealing with. Summit Medical Group has a variety of resources available to patients with mental health concerns. Click here for a list of local community resources that can help you or someone you love get connected to care programs.
It's important to remember that working on our mental health takes time. Change won't happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, we can move through the stressors of modern life and develop long-term strategies to support ourselves — and others — on an ongoing basis.