What is Mental Health?

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What Is Mental Health?

What is mental health? Mental health is something that we all have, and it is very important to take care of. Try to think about mental health as a state of mind. A person’s state of mind can be affected by many different things! This includes a person’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. So much happens as people grow and experience. Mental health can be impacted by a life experience we’ve had, how someone has talked to or behaved towards us, and by our lifestyle habits or behaviors. Mental health is also impacted by how good or bad these things are, and how often they occur. All of these things and more can cause our mental health to change every day. Having good days and rough days are normal! What’s most important is that we do what we need to do to support ourselves. There is no shame in struggling. Check out the video above to learn more about mental health and wellness, and how they look different depending on the person!

Please click the buttons at the bottom of this page for more in-depth information at NIMH (the National Institute on Mental Health).

Signs That You May Benefit From Mental Health Support

  • Feeling that every day is difficult to get through

  • Feeling hopeless

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or others

  • Feeling unable to cope without the use of substances such as drugs or alcohol

  • Feeling that you don’t have anyone to talk to

Symptoms of Anxiety

  • Racing/fast-beating heart

  • Fast-paced breathing or feeling unable to breathe

  • Difficulty managing feelings of worry

  • In a state of panic, or feeling that something awful is going to happen

  • Thoughts of harming yourself

  • Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

  • Becoming easily tired

  • Feeling irritable and annoyed

Symptoms of Depression

  • Feelings of sadness, negativity, or hopelessness

  • Little or no interest in social interaction

  • Little or no interest participating in activities that may have used to interest you

  • Feeling tired and low-energy most days

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or others

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Mania

  • A feeling of being “high”, “wired”, or “elated”

  • Feeling that you don’t need much sleep or an inability to sleep

  • Talking very quickly about many different things

  • Participating in high-risk activities or behavior that show poor judgement: For example, eating and/or drinking in large amounts, engaging in reckless sex, or spending and giving away large amounts of money at a time

  • Feeling that you are exceptionally and unusually talented, powerful, and important


Depressed State

  • Feeling down, hopeless, upset or sad

  • Having difficulties sleeping, staying asleep, falling asleep. Or, consistently waking up early

  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions

  • Showing low interest in almost all activities, including activities that may have previously interested the person

  • Feeling little to no value or worth as a person

  • Having persistent thoughts of harming oneself or dying by suicide

Symptoms of Panic Disorder

  • Sudden, recurring panic attacks that may make the person feel overwhelmed/unable to cope with anxiety and fear

  • Feeling out of control or dread, like something really bad is about to happen

  • Experiencing a racing/fast-paced or pounding heartbeat

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Sweating or chills

  • Living in a state of persistent fear of when the next panic attack will happen

  • Chest pain

  • Nausea

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please click here to be taken to our resources page! Help is available.

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Quality mental health care and support for deaf and hard of hearing people can be achieved, but not without them! Pay attention to these stories, the data, and the need. We encourage you to take this information with you and join us in raising awareness about the urgency of creating accessible mental health support for ALL deaf individuals.

Want to share your mental health story with us? Click HERE!