Mr Wayne W Bradleyby Wayne W. Bradley, Sr. President/CEO
The Month of May is Mental Health Month, designed to increase awareness about the importance of good mental health. While most people think about mental health as it relates to the challenges and illnesses that compromise mental health, there are two sides to this issue.
Mental issues run the gamut of anxiety, eating disorders to depression, bullying and even bereavement with nearly every other life issue in between. It’s not the occurrences of life, but rather how and how well we are prepared to handle them. Such things as moving, divorce, job loss and death top the list of most stressful life occurrences that can lead to physical and mental compromises.
A major issue for mental health, especially in the African-American communities, is talking about the problems we are facing. Some have long interpreted the admission of problems as being a sign of weakness, when in actuality it is the opposite as it takes strength to ask for help.
We were not put on this earth to live or go through life without the interaction or support of others. While this company is also a contributor to our mental challenges, the solutions also lies therein.
On the other side, there is the personal care that we must take for our own mental health. Managing stress, taking a mental and physical break, as well as re-nourishing our mind with positive and encouraging thoughts to combat the negative are all things we must do to ensure our own mental well-being.
Ignoring the need to take care of our thoughts and thought processes leads to a break down in our mental and physical health and well being. This leads to addictive behaviors and dependencies as well as practices that further comprise our lives, as well as the lives of others. Overlooking indications that we are not processing challenges properly in ourselves and others is also dangerous. Just a like a physical warning sign, signals of withdrawal, unwarranted anger or misguided emotions can be indications of a deeper emotional challenge that may require professional assistance.
If the heart is the body’s motor, then the mind is its steering wheel. What we think and believe, our bodies and lives will follow. It’s a good idea to take care of both.
For more information on mental health care and advocacy, visit; for assistance and resources locally, contact United Way at 2-1-1.