The conversation around mental health is changing. Mental health issues need to be discussed year round, but May is a time that highlights those issues and raises awareness. Mental Health Awareness Month was created to raise awareness of mental health issues for millions of Americans through media, local events and mental health screenings. It’s also a time for people to come together and advocate for more research, prevention and treatment. The 2018 theme for Mental Health Month is Fitness #4Mind4Body. When we talk about health, we can’t focus solely on physical health. We have to think of the whole person in a more holistic way that encompasses not just physical health but mental health. Fitness #4Mind4Body focuses on what we can do to be fit for our futures–regardless of where are on our own journeys to health and wellness. The theme focuses on the relationships between diet and nutrition, exercise, the gut-brain connection, sleep and stress, and how they influence one another to affect overall well-being. Poor mental health can negatively impact all aspects of your life, from self-esteem, to your performance at work or school, to your physical health, to your ability to “show up” as a good son, brother or parent. Just as it’s important for us to pay attention to what our body is telling us, it’s important to listen to what our mind is telling us too. In the treatment community, we know how addiction and mental health influence one another, for better or worse. We know that effective treatment includes treatment for addiction and mental health, but it hasn’t always been this way. When addiction and mental illness occur at the same time, it’s known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis, and according to a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it’s something that 7.9 million Americans experience. It might be Mental Health Month, but anytime is a good time to seek treatment for mental health issues, including addiction. Individualized treatment that takes a holistic approach to healing offers the most substantial chance of managing mental health symptoms and overcoming addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness and/or addiction, Spearhead Lodge can help. Our program is structured to address the underlying factors that led to mental health issues and addiction. Contact a Spearhead Lodge Admissions Specialist by calling 1-888-483-0528.