Cerro Coso Library Blog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May was designated as Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. The topic is still considered taboo by many, even though it has more relevant than ever before. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020. For some demographic groups, such as LGBTQ+ adults, this number can be as as high as 47%.

The long-term strain of the pandemic and the short-term stress of college essays and final exams can wear down anyone's mental health. If you find yourself buckling under pressure in the next few weeks, here are a few things to try:

• Take a break. While it's tempting to power through, taking a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes of school work can help you avoid burnout.
• Exercise. Exercising a few minutes each day will release endorphins and refresh your brain. You don't need to spend an hour at the gym to see mental results - do some jumping jacks, vacuum your room, or take a walk around the block.
• Eat well. Unfortunately, no studies have yet proved that Cheetos are the key to mental health. Until then, try fruits, vegetables, nuts, tea, and dark chocolate instead to help boost your brain. 
• Sleep. Science recommends 6-8 hours of solid sleep per night, but even short naps can help boost your mental health.
• Seek Professional Help. Humans were not built to handle everything alone, and outside mental health support from professionals can be a game changer. Check out Cerro Coso's Coyote Telehealth TalkNow program, available 24/7 for free. Other resources can be found on the CC Cares Mental/Medical Health and Safety guide.

Want to learn more about mental health and illnesses? Here are just a few of the books at the Cerro Coso Library:

• Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health (2019)
• Hidden Lives: True Stories from People Who Live with Mental Illness (2017)
• Black Women's Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability (2017)
• Superhero Therapy: Mindfulness Skills to Help Teens and Young Adults Deal with Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma (2017)
• The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens: CBT Skills to Help you Deal with Worry and Anxiety (2018)

(CC) Paget Michael Creelman, Wikimedia Commons.