Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, they fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
Get Involved and Spread Awareness
Here are some tips on how to get involved and spread awareness:
- Start a Conversation: it can feel strange or awkward to reach out to someone who may need your assistance, but friends and family may not feel comfortable asking for help. One way to start a conversation is to simply ask, “How are you doing?”
- Prioritize Your Mental Health: this is an ideal time to reflect on your own mental wellness and to ask yourself, “How are you doing?” If you are not ok, reach out for help.
- Donate or Volunteer: there are thousands of organizations that help promote mental health, consider donating to one this month.
- Share Information: sharing information is a fantastic way to spread awareness, maybe consider posting something to your social media!
- Let Someone Know They Are Not Alone: Many people with mental disorders feel isolated and think no one understands them. Reach out!
Dealing with Stress and Anxiety
Stress is part of being human, and it can help motivate us to get things done. We may sometimes feel anxious, and that’s normal too for a while. But, when we start to feel that way more than several weeks, or if it starts to interfere with home or work life, it’s time to reach out for help. Here are some things that can help manage stress before it gets to be too much.
Getting Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental illness, contact the NAMI HelpLine, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., ET at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or by emailing info@nami.org. Volunteers answer questions, offer support and provide practical next steps. The resources on this page also provide information to address many needs and concerns.
RK strongly believes that mental health is just as important as physical health. RK medical plans now cover out-of-network benefits for mental health. In addition, our employees have access to Teladoc for mental health services, along with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other resources.