May Reminds Us That Healthy Minds Matter

SAN DIEGO - There are more than 200 classifications of mental health disorders, and 1 in 5 Californians will experience some form of a mental disorder during their lifetime. May is Mental Health Month and to mitigate the debilitating impact of mental illness, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) reminds Californians to recognize any warning signs or marked personality changes that may lead to serious health conditions.

A mental health professional, such as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), also known as a psychotherapist, is licensed and trained to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with common mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or addiction. Individuals experiencing one or more of the following symptoms are encouraged to seek the help of an MFT:

-- Inability to cope with daily activities
-- Extreme anxiety
-- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
-- Loss of energy and fatigue
-- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
-- Excessive anger, irritation or violent behavior
-- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
-- Overwhelming feeling of sadness and grief

Therapy is a cost-effective solution to help manage mental health issues. It can help mitigate common sources of stress, including care-giving for a loved one or an aging parent, financial worries, family problems, and heavy workloads.