Psychologist Guy Winch's message on the importance of prioritizing emotional health is a great way to wrap up Mental Health Awareness month. We all understand the importance of taking care of our bodies, seeing the doctor for regular check-ups, and quickly seeking proper treatment for wounds or illness. However, we all too often fail to recognize or seek proper and timely treatment for emotional wounds. Loneliness, anxiety, failure, depression, rejection, and loss all take an emotional and physical toll. No one expects you to "shake off" a broken arm, but we often expect others and ourselves to "shake off" these emotional wounds. Guy Winch gives practical advice and examples of ways to improve our awareness and treatment of  these issues with what he terms "emotional first aid."

May is recognized as National Mental Health Awareness Month. During the second week of May we focus on raising awareness and support for mental health in children, adolescents and young adults. Did you know that 50% of all lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24? The following video produced by NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) highlights early warning signs and features three brave and eloquent young people speaking out mental health.

May is the month in which we advocate as a community to promote mental health awareness and treatment. Help spread the word to end stigma and encourage those we know and love to seek the help they need for their own brighter tomorrows.