IOWA CITY, Iowa – When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.

May is Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago by the national organization, Mental Health America, to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. Last year, Mental Health Month materials were seen and used by over 30 million people, with more than 16,000 entities downloading MHA’s tool kit.

A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions. For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health.

That is why in 2019 we are expanding upon last year’s theme of 4Mind4Body and taking it to the next level, as we explore the topics of animal companionship, spirituality and religion, humor, work-life balance, and recreation and social connections as ways to boost mental health and general wellness.

During May, MHA will also look at how these topics may be especially beneficial to people who are living with chronic physical illnesses as we ramp up to MHA’s 2019 Annual Conference – Dueling Diagnoses: Mental Health and Chronic Conditions in Children and Adults, June 13-15 in Washington, D.C. where MHA will be discussing the impact and intersection of chronic conditions and mental health.