(Family Features) People with outward appearances of success, productivity and happiness often still deal with internal struggles. Mental health challenges continue to affect Americans, with nearly 3 of 4 (73%) U.S. adults reporting struggles with mental health in 2023.

These findings come from a mental health survey commissioned by RedBox Rx, a telehealth and online pharmacy provider, and conducted by Morning Consult.

“Mental health remains a struggle for many Americans,” said Dr. Daniel Fick, RedBox Rx’s chief medical officer. “The findings from this study demonstrate more resources and support are needed to help individuals manage their mental health, especially younger adults. We are focused on fulfilling this need by offering easy-to-access, affordable, discreet and convenient telehealth care and treatment for those struggling with mental health.”

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, consider these mental health trends identified in the survey:

1. Younger Generations are More Likely to Report Mental Health Struggles, Worsening Mental Health
Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely to report having mental health struggles and more likely to say those struggles worsened in the past year. In fact, 41% of Gen Zers and 36% of Millennials reported more mental health struggles in the past year compared with 21% of adults ages 45 and older.

2. Specific Life Events Affect People Differently
Some life events appear to affect people differently. For example, getting divorced or separated and becoming pregnant or having a child are linked with both worsening and improving mental health. Getting engaged or married and using a dating app are equally likely to be linked with both positive and negative impacts on mental health.

3. Younger Generations Endure Life Events Linked with Worsening Mental Health
Gen Zers and Millennials more frequently experience life events having the strongest links to worsening mental health. They more commonly report loneliness and a failure to achieve life goals, stressors also linked to worsening mental health. For example, 53% of Gen Zers reported feelings of loneliness and 52% shared feelings of failure to achieve life goals, compared with 39% and 34%, respectively, of all adults sampled.

The research also found recent life experiences, whether relational or personal, are linked to the state of one’s mental health. Those suffering from worsening mental health were more likely to have experienced:

• Being a victim of verbal or emotional abuse
• Being a victim of physical violence
• The lack of a healthy home environment
• The lack of a healthy work environment
• Attending college or university
• The breakdown in a relationship with a close family member

According to the study, if you’ve experienced verbal or emotional abuse – which is 12% more prevalent among Gen Zers – you are more than twice as likely to report worsening mental health.

4. Despite Mental Health Struggles, Most Americans Aren’t Seeking Professional Care
Even though mental health struggles are widespread among American adults, more than 6 out of 10 (63%) with consistent or worsening mental health struggles have not sought professional care, such as therapy or medications, in the past year.

Those not seeking care tend to downplay their situations or cite the cost of care as a barrier. Through its discreet, low-cost service model, RedBox Rx’s online platform makes it easy for patients to quickly schedule telehealth visits and privately meet with licensed medical providers to get help with treating a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, adult ADHD and insomnia.

“Telehealth offers an effective and convenient way for patients to easily access care for mental health conditions,” Fick said.

To view the full report, access infographics from the study and find more information about mental health therapy and medical treatments, visit RedBoxRx.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (woman using tablet)

SOURCE:
RedBox Rx

(Family Features) Before the advent of antibiotics, infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and diphtheria, were the most common causes of death in the industrialized world. Today, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and has been since 1921, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, more than half of people in the U.S. (51%) aren’t aware of that fact, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association. What’s more, nearly half of all people in the U.S. (48.6%) have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke or, most notably, high blood pressure, according to the annual statistical update, “2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data From the American Heart Association,” published in “Circulation.”

“Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth-leading cause of death, claim more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, based on the most recent data available,” said Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and the Simon H. Stertzer Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. “Finding that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease is discouraging and even a bit frightening.”

While death rates from CVD have declined 60% since 1950 and the number of people in the U.S. dying from heart attack has dropped from 1 in 2 in the ’50s to about 1 in 8 today, challenges still remain.

In 2024, with Bold Hearts – the American Heart Association’s centennial celebration – the organization celebrates 100 years of progress and identified several issues that must be addressed to make the next century of life-saving work as impactful as the first 100 years:

• Scientific literacy must be enhanced to increase public knowledge and understanding about the methods and interpretation of scientific data.
• Non-traditional approaches to health care are needed to address the social and structural determinants of health by moving evidence-based approaches rapidly into communities to address food insecurity, transportation problems, education, housing, access to care, chronic psychosocial stress and other social needs.
• The interconnectedness of organ systems, mechanisms of disease and stages of life are critical to understanding the role cardiovascular health plays in overall health.
• Appreciation of systems of care will beimportant to achieving significant clinical benefits. Reliance on individual physicians may not be realistic in managing diseases involving multiple organ systems such as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease or disorders affecting the heart, brain and mind simultaneously.
• More funding for research is a critical need due to the pace of scientific advances. In the next century, laboratory experiments may demand more sophisticated equipment, translational science will incorporate expensive new technologies like artificial intelligence and population health will require greater computing power and larger sample sizes.

“There is much to learn from this historic shift in the reduction of deaths from infectious diseases and the current prevalence in deaths from cardiovascular diseases,” Wu said. “Through scientific research, technological advances and public health policy, most of these infectious diseases have become controlled, and many have been or are nearly eradicated. As we apply these same clinical and epidemiological methods to the someday hopeful eradication of heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association is making great progress. Although still too many people die each year, many are living longer, more productive lives while managing their cardiovascular disease and risk factors.”

To learn more, visit heart.org/centennial.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, mental health awareness holds unprecedented significance. By understanding the urgent need for mental health awareness and access to proper care, we can create a more empathetic and supportive society. This blog post emphasizes the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month and highlights ways individuals can contribute to this cause throughout the year.

Breaking the Stigma:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a catalyst for open conversations about mental illness, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health. Through education and awareness, we can dispel myths and misconceptions, enabling a more inclusive and understanding environment for those facing mental health challenges.

Supportive Initiatives:
During this significant month, a multitude of activities and events take place to show support for mental health. These include educational programs, workshops, community discussions, and fundraising efforts. Such initiatives provide individuals, families, and communities with valuable resources, information, and support networks.

Individual Contributions:
As individuals, we can make a remarkable impact in promoting mental health awareness. Educating ourselves about mental health conditions allows us to understand the experiences of those living with them, fostering empathy and compassion. By sharing our own experiences or supporting those who do, we can help break the silence and encourage others to seek help without fear of judgment.

Support and Empathy:
Offering support and empathy to those struggling with mental health conditions is crucial. By lending a listening ear, being there for someone, and checking in on their well-being, we create meaningful connections that alleviate feelings of isolation. Opening up honest conversations about mental health strengthens the support network, cultivating an environment where individuals feel safe seeking help.

Prioritizing Our Well-being:
In the pursuit of mental health awareness, it is essential to prioritize our own well-being. Practicing self-care, engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, and seeking help when needed are fundamental aspects of maintaining good mental health. By prioritizing our well-being, we become role models, fostering a culture that places as much value on mental health as physical health.

A Year-Round Commitment:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder to carry the lessons learned throughout the year. By actively participating in mental health initiatives, advocating for equitable access to care, and supporting those facing mental health challenges, we create a society that genuinely values mental well-being. Let us work together to break down barriers, eliminate stigmas, and ensure that mental health is prioritized and addressed for all.

Mental Health Awareness Month acts as a rallying call to prioritize mental health and create a more compassionate and supportive society. By embracing the lessons learned during this month, we can contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities throughout the year. Let us continue to educate ourselves, advocate for mental health, support others, and prioritize our own well-being, fostering an environment where mental health is celebrated and cared for. Together, we can make a difference.

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States. It is a time when various forms of media, local events, and film screenings are used to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health America initiated this annual observance in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia)

Date: Wed, May 1, 2024 – Fri, May 31, 2024

See also…

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
• Mental Illness Awareness Week (USA, first week of October)
• Mental Health Week, in Australia
• World Mental Health Day (October 10)

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