According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five American adults live with a mental illness in 2019. In short, that means 51.9 million adults living in the United States have a mental illness. For people outside of this country looking at this statistic, it may be shocking for them to learn that one of the world’s most-developed countries would have a mental health crisis since the U.S.  is often seen as a country that has “everything” that is there to offer for its citizens and for people visiting it. Among the people who need important mental health first aid resources are PTSD sufferers.

People who have PTSD experienced painful memories from their past that can affect their ability to live happily. PTSD victims come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from military members to first responders. For many people with PTSD, they would later develop problems including substance abuse and self-harm. PTSD hurts not just the person having it but also it affects their loved ones as well.

Services, resources, and tools

There are many efforts in combating mental health problems that many American citizens are facing today. Mental health is no longer seen as a taboo topic of discussion in this country. In fact, the health system provides many types of mental health services and treatments. There are now various mental health services, resources and tools that are there to help many people. Some of the people include those who have PTSD and are encountering various mental health challenges and behavioral health problems. They want to have a joyful life and receiving any health services or resources are enough to brighten their day.

According to USA Mental Health First Aid, there is a diverse list of resources, tools, and programs that help many Americans who are having different types of mental illness, especially those who have substance use disorders such as alcoholism and drug abuse. Some well-known resources include but not limited to the following: Mental Health America, National Council for Behavioral Health, National Empowerment Center, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

USA Mental Health First Aid spreads awareness

USA Mental Health First Aid also allow people to have the opportunity to be instructors. As instructors, they can identify, understand, and respond to the questions and curiosities of the wider public regarding mental health awareness. Additionally, USA Mental Health First Aid allows people to take a course that teaches them how they can help someone who already has a mental health problem or is about to experience it. 

Children can also experience a mental health issue of their own. Some even have issues that stemmed from past traumatic experiences that do not allow them to experience a healthy childhood. An organization called Health Smart Virginia has resources devoted for children from kindergarten to 12th grade. These students trying to successfully navigate through topics like socio-emotional health and physical health promotion.

Health Smart Virginia's service to students who have anxiety

Health Smart Virginia also acknowledges that there is an anxiety epidemic that many students nationwide are currently facing. In fact, this epidemic does significantly impact their mental health wellness. The problems that the students have would also affect how they can concentrate and how much confidence that they can bring out. Luckily, there are resources that can help teachers prepare on how to increase mental health awareness and reduces social stigma around the mental health topic. In the end, the resources do help students who are at risk of self-harm or suicide a lot. 

For anyone who has a mental health diagnosis, they should not be afraid of what others might think of them. Mental health is a topic that everyone continue paying attention to as there are many Americans and other people globally who strongly need the help that they deserve as they try their best to overcome their inner struggles. People who are currently facing mental health struggles need to know that they still have loving friends, family, and peers who are always standing by their side to support them.

Understand, empathize, and love

For people who are not facing mental health issues, they should continue understanding the struggles of people who have them. By doing that, they should not have any misconceptions about mental health problems in the future. For people who personally know someone who is currently facing a mental health problem, they should assure their friend or family member that they will never be alone and that everyone is always there to help at all times. 

This is also especially true for their loved ones who are still experiencing or had PTSD. To emphasize, PTSD is still a very tough condition to have for millions of people worldwide. The aforementioned services, resources, tools, and programs are very helpful and crucial to help people with PTSD live well, particularly those who still need mental health first aid assistance in the future.