What is Mental Illness?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month- a time to reflect on the emotional well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Nearly half of adults in the United States will experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime, and one in five adults in the United States currently live with long-term mental illness.
Mental illnesses come in many different forms and arise from various factors. As the NIMH defines it, any mental illness (AMI) can be classified as any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. Serious mental illness (SMI) are mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders that result in significant functional impairment, which significantly interferes with everyday life. These disorders include but are not limited to anxiety disorders (panic, OCD, phobias), depression, mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders, and other disorders.
Treatment is often available, but it is not utilized. Mental Health Awareness functions as an opportunity to encourage the pursuit of mental illness treatment and resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness or a mental disorder, there are several places to find resources to help you manage and overcome your battles.
Here at Highlight, we provide various resources to assist those battling mental illnesses and seeking mental health support services.
Assisting Those with Mental Illnesses
Highlight’s efforts to support those affected by mental illness include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), our Wellness Program, and the Wellness channel on Microsoft Teams.
EAP
The EAP can provide a three-prong variety of services. One element of the EAP is in-person guidance by assisting families with short-term issues. Another benefit is unlimited 24/7 assistance, access to information on family matters, legal information, and financial advice. Additionally, EPA provides online resources such as articles, videos, tutorials, and interactive tools to support families and their wellness needs.
The Wellness Program
The Wellness Program at Highlight encourages employees to take care of themselves and prioritize their health. Currently, the Wellness Program is inviting our employees to complete their annual physicals, with reminders and incentives through credits on their health insurance in 2022.
The Wellness Channel (Microsoft Teams)
Highlight provides curated content and activities for employees through our Microsoft Teams Wellness Channel. Our HR team holds a reoccurring 5–15-minute meditation twice a week to allow employees to find rest and a sense of peace in their busy lives.
Mental Health Awareness
It is important to educate oneself on mental health, as millions of Americans and billions of people worldwide are affected by mental illness. It can be especially crucial to be aware of mental health in this time of uncertainty and distance. Those who are working from home might have feelings of loneliness and disassociation. Those who are in the office might have feelings of anxiety.
Highlight is committed to a culture of encouragement and reassurance. Our Mental Health and Wellness resources enable our team to support those who are battling mental illnesses, whether outwardly or privately, and are seeking resources to better their health and wellness overall.
By educating yourself and growing your awareness of mental health, you are supporting your needs and the needs of others. It can be a challenging journey, but a necessary one. Highlight is here to support our employees!
Be well, and Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!
Written by Jes Mabanglo | Marketing Specialist
