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Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. The two aspects of health are intertwined and impact one another. Mental health includes your emotional, psychological and social well-being, affecting how you think, feel and behave. Experiencing mental health issues is common, however problems are treatable.
Biological factors (e.g. genes and brain chemistry)
Family history of mental health conditions
Life experiences (e.g. traumatic events, abuse, change and loss)
20%of U.S. adults experience amental health issue
16%of young people experience amajor depressive episode
5%of adults live with a serious mental illness(e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, etc.)
Adjustment Disorder, Depression, Alcohol Abuseare the most common behavioral health conditions impacting service members
Anxiety is a common feeling one may experience due to a variety of stressors. [XXX] Prolonged anxiety can lead to a host of health issues including weight gain, problems with memory and cardiovascular issues. Seeking care for improving symptoms and coping mechanisms is beneficial to your overall health long-term.
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Depression is common and can be experienced by anyone at any time. It can negatively affect how you feel, think and act, impacting your career, relationships and health. Depression can occur for a variety of reasons including biological factors, emotional factors, major life events, physical or psychological issues and substance use. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may be recurring and persistent.
Resilience is the ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. This capacity and ability to bounce back from a difficult experience is a great skill to have and use. We all face adversity... How we deal with it is important and is critical.
Build strong relationships with family and friends in order to provide you with support when you are in need.
Try to do something that gives you purpose each day by setting achievable daily goals.
Exercise regularly and increase movement throughout the day, eat nutrient-dense and colorful meals, aim for 7-9 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, etc.
Learn a new skill, travel, spend time outside, etc.
Visualize what you want for yourself, remain hopeful for the best and talk kindly to yourself.
When you experience negative thoughts and emotions, figure out a plan of action to help combat their effects.
Donate, volunteer and/or support others to help give you a sense of purpose and connect with others.
Learn from you past and acknowledge that people evolve, goals may need to be adjusted and we cannot control how other people feel and act.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/combat_exposure.asp
https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/resilience.htm
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