Today is day 5 of National Public Health Week 2012! Below, members of DMU’s Master of Public Health Student Club discuss today’s theme: mental and emotional well-being.
Why focus on mental and emotional well-being?
- Many mental health disorders are preventable and treatable.
- About one in five people experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder at some point in their life.
- Fewer than half of people diagnosed with a mental illness receive treatment in any given year.
- An American dies of suicide about every 15 minutes.
What can you do if you want to start small?
- Provide positive parenting and a violence free home.
- Seek treatment if you are depressed or have another mental health condition.
- If you see signs of depression and suicide in someone you know, refer them to an appropriate resource.
- Become a mentor or tutor.
- Encourage children and adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Talk to your children about bullying.
What can you do if you want to think big?
- Encourage employers to provide health coverage that includes comprehensive mental health services.
- Host an organized community activity that encourages social participation and inclusion of everyone in the community.
- Encourage policy makers to expand access to mental health services and enhance linkages between mental health, substance abuse, disability, and other social services.
Don’t forget to post what you did well today on the website! Everyone who submits a post will be entered to win one of our fabulous prizes!
Important reminders:
MPHSC Do Something Well Today T-shirts are still available for purchase. If you are not in the Des Moines area, just follow the ordering instructions on the linked page and we will ship one to you.
Don’t forget to attend the “Strategies for Community Health Improvement” discussion with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and DMU President Angela Walker Franklin, Ph.D., TODAY at 12:30 p.m. in the SEC auditorium.
