What is a conscious community? One would define a conscious community as a unified awareness of successes and challenges with respect to the expression of all in need. Living in a conscious community would promote wellness, equality and empowerment of individuals and families.  Communities are developed over time, therefore, being patient with the process is essential. Just as we are patient with the aforementioned process, showing benevolence to the citizens in our community that deal with Mental Health disorders could be therapeutic and a lasting life impression.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month; the theme for the (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is “Together for Mental Health.” We as a community, have seen the tragic events around our nation, standing together for mental health would help reduce stigma and potentially allow anyone suffering in silence with mental health issues to seek help. I am a proponent for caring for the whole person, it is time that our community walk in whole wellness

Whole person care means your health and wellness are not limited to your physical health but the well-being of you as a whole person. There are several areas that contribute to wellness for all of us, such as emotional, social, spiritual, and physical health. 

As a community, we must not judge what we do not understand. The National Institute of Mental Health suggest that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with some form of mental illness (NIMH, 2019). Additionally, 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness develop by age 14 and 75% by age 25, suggesting that early intervention is crucial to mitigate or lessen the severity of later dysfunction and loss of productivity. From social determinants of health, such as access to care, socioeconomic status, education, and employment to genetics, many of these factors should be focused on when it comes to mental health conditions, we want our children to be productive citizens, and we want to continue to be productive citizens. When facing a mental health concerns or living with a mental health condition, it’s normal to feel like no one understands what you are dealing with. You aren’t alone – help is available, and recovery is possible. As a community let’s be resilient, not bouncing back but let’s bounce forward and live consciously!!

Mental Health Tips

·         Practice self-care; make yourself a priority

·         Get adequate sleep

·         Eat a balanced meal

·         Maintain a positive support system

·         Seek professional counseling

Dr. Brandy Harrell is the Behavioral Health Director of the Kinston Community Behavioral Health Center and serves as a member of the Rural Justice Collaborative Advisory Council made up of America’s top rural criminal justice and behavioral health experts.