This is a great infographic from The Huffington Post that talks about the different parts of the brain that affect our mental health and what to do about it.
It’s true. The parts of the brain that are most affected by mental illness are the frontal lobe and the hippocampus. The frontal lobe is the seat of our rational thinking, and the hippocampus is the part of the brain that stores memories. If you’re experiencing mental illness, you can’t be doing your best work on the day they tell you you have it.
This infographic also points out that if you are in a state of depression you need to get help right away. Some medications can help but some can cause side-effects. People with mental illness are more likely to fall into the latter category.
You can take your time and get help, or you can do it now, before you get to the bad side-effects. It’s important to note that mental illness, especially depression, can be the result of a variety of factors. It can be caused by trauma, brain injury, or chemical imbalances. The good news is that if you want to get better, you can do so.
The good news is that many of you who are on the social media scene are in the process of getting your life back on track. You’ll be able to get help quickly too.
You can also get help now. If your mental health is getting worse, or if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness, or if you’ve been in a mental institution, please contact us at the National Alliance for Mental Illness or at 1-800-MIND-SCREEN. If you are in a crisis, call 911. If you have a mental illness, please visit the National Alliance for Mental Illness website and search the list of local clinics and therapists that accept Medicaid.
If you’re not sure if you should get help, talk to your mental health team. They can help you determine what is causing your depression or other mental illness, and also help you get the help you may need. The National Alliance for Mental Illness website has a good list of mental illness treatment clinics.
The most important thing to remember about mental illness is that it is treatable. There is no need to be in crisis. If you are stressed, depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, etc. you can find support and resources in the community. If you have any other health concerns, please visit your doctor or mental health specialist and get the care you need.
At least the National Alliance for Mental Illness website has a really comprehensive list of treatment centers. You may also want to look into the local mental health or substance abuse facilities.
As for me, I’m not sure what I should call the mental health services in the U.S. There are so many different resources that I don’t know where to start. I was on the verge of calling the National Alliance for Mental Illness, but decided not to. Instead, I’ll call my local chapter of the American Mental Health Association. My local chapter, the Illinois Mental Health Association, is well-organized and supportive.
