Mental Health Awareness Month Is May

Statistics show that in the 2012 alone, an estimated 43.7 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States were diagnosed with a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder, representing 18.6 percent of all U.S. adults (excluding substance use and developmental disorders) according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Throughout the past 65 years, Mental Health America and affiliates across the country have lead observance of May for Mental Health month to reach millions of people through the media, local events and screenings by bringing awareness for issues that join in spreading the word on the issue.

This year's May is Mental Health Month Campaign and Toolkit will use the theme B4Stage4 and will focus on how people can address their mental health early, rather than at "Stage 4" - when symptoms are more severe, and recovery a longer process.

Yet even in this day and age, many social indicators fail to measure what people think and feel about their lives, as well as their quality of relationships and social interactions with others, the satisfaction of life and how it can influence the quality of those interactions. Positive evaluations of life, including the presence of positive emotions like happiness, serenity, interest, social ties and perceptions of life satisfaction and meaning that commonly makeup "well-being" are not always so easy to spot or address for those who are generally happy.

For those dealing with crippling depression, type 2 bipolar disorder or other severe mental health issues, health officials are still working to properly address treatments that will hold a lasting effect. Some studies have even begun looking at using psilocybin mushrooms and LSD to treat more severe forums of mental illness.

What the future may hold is relatively uncertain. However, as new medications, treatments and advancements become available, there's really no telling what's to come.