Mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being but, unfortunately, poor mental health is often overlooked or neglected. The World Health Organization (WHO) goes so far as to say “there is no health without mental health.” But we have a long way to go in recognizing its importance, making space to talk about it, and effectively addressing it. Just know you are not alone.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a significant effort across the country, across multiple organizations, to reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health problems and encourage people to seek help when they need it. RxGenomix is here to help you get the help you need.
It is important to understand that mental health problems are not a personal failing, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Everyone experiences ups and downs in their mental health, just like their physical health, and seeking help when needed can help prevent problems from becoming more severe. The WHO estimates one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, with anxiety and depression most common.
We all have mental health – it affects how we think, feel, and act every day. However, mental health is often ignored until something is going wrong. The best way to prevent that is to pay attention to your mental health even when you’re feeling ok or even good. We all have days when we feel better than others. And just like with our physical health, we can all do things that make us mentally healthier.
Mental health plays a big role in your overall well-being. When you’re mentally healthy, you can enjoy your life and the people in it, feel good about yourself, keep up good relationships, and manage stress. It’s normal for your mental health to shift over time. Creating positive habits is a great way to support your mental health, including good sleep hygiene, getting enough exercise, eating healthy and limiting alcohol consumption. Above all, don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel like you’re struggling with your mental health.
A mental health condition, or mental illness, refers to a set of symptoms that have been identified by the mental health community. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and/or behavior. For some, this means extreme and unexpected changes in mood, like feeling more sad or worried than usual. For others, it means not thinking clearly, pulling away from friends and activities you used to enjoy. No matter what kind of mental health condition someone is facing, it is possible to heal.
Having poor mental health is not the same as having a mental health condition. We all have tough days and weeks; struggling with your mental health doesn’t automatically mean you have a mental health condition. It’s important to talk to those around you about these feelings, and talk to your doctor if the changes in your thinking and emotions start hurting your ability to do the things you want to do, and the symptoms are staying around longer than they should, like weeks or months. Talk therapy may be an effective first line of treatment, but don’t discount that medication therapy may be safe and effective for you and keep in mind how much benefit pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing can provide (learn more at exactmeds.com).
If it comes to a point where medication therapy might be best for you, you should know just how common it is. About 17% of U.S. adults have a prescription for a behavioral health medication and about 13% of Americans 12 and older have taken an anti-depressant in the last month.
So why do we care so much? Because our mission is to get people on the path to optimal health, and PGx testing can be invaluable in prescribing. Approximately 50% of people have a hidden genetic mutation that will affect prescribing. When treating major depressive disorder (MDD) a full HALF of patients will need trial-and-error prescribing rather than getting it right the first time. Not starting with a PGx test means you’ll be playing the trial-and-error game, usually taking about four months longer to reach effective treatment and making about eight extra visits to the doctor in that time.
In May, and every day, we wish the best for you and your mental health. We are here to help you in your journey, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you think RxGenomix can help you on the path to better health.
