Mental Health Awareness Month: A Reminder That We Need to Look Out for Each Other
As we close out another week during Mental Health Awareness Month, I find myself thinking about the changes I have witnessed over the years.
I have had the privilege of serving as an Army medic, working in the ER and ICU as a registered nurse, and later being involved in physician and advanced practice recruiting. Through those experiences, I have met people from every walk of life — patients, veterans, physicians, nurses, healthcare workers, and professionals who seemed to have everything going for them.
Since COVID, it feels like I have seen more people struggling with mental health challenges. Maybe the struggles were always there and people were better at hiding them. Maybe the isolation, stress, uncertainty, and pressures of the last several years brought things to the surface. I don’t know the full answer — but I know what I have personally witnessed.
While working in a VA emergency room, I cared for veterans battling PTSD. I have worked with patients in mental health facilities. I have seen people who were strong, successful, and respected suddenly find themselves overwhelmed.
One situation that has stayed with me was a young man with an incredibly bright future. He was successful, a realtor, held multiple licenses, and was one of those sharp, motivated people you expected to accomplish anything. Then one day, something changed. Fear and anxiety took over his life. Watching someone go through that kind of struggle firsthand was heartbreaking.
Over the last few years, I have also seen more healthcare professionals struggling — doctors, nurses, and caregivers who spend their lives helping others but sometimes silently carry burdens of their own.
Mental health challenges do not discriminate. They affect the young and old, successful professionals, healthcare workers, veterans, friends, and family members.
If you are struggling — or you know someone who might be — please reach out.
Help is available. Sometimes finding the right help can feel like walking through a maze, but it is out there, and there are people who care.
We need to do a better job as a society checking on each other, listening without judgment, and supporting our brothers and sisters when they need us most.
A simple conversation, phone call, or message could mean more than you realize.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).
Mental Health Awareness Month: A Reminder That We Need to Look Out for Each Other