52.9 Million They Say...

The monster hiding in the closet of America's Military...

We live in a world where children are growing up faster than they used to, we aren't practicing all the things that our parents taught us, cell phones can do anything you need them to do, communication between families isn't what it used to be, and social media is a way that people tap into what's going on around the world. But, how many of you are checked in with your health? How about your mental health?

Did you know that according to Hopkins medicine, an estimated 26% Americans 18 and older (that is 1 in 4 adults) suffers from a diagnosable mental illness? That means if you are standing in a group of 8 adults, at least 2 people in that group has a mental illness. I guess the next set of questions would be, do they know? Are they aware of how their overall health is affected?

These are the kind of things that we don't think about on a daily basis, yet they need to be addressed.

Today I am writing this post, because I wanted to shed some light on a topic that is near and dear to my heart, which is mental Illness. Mental illness is a serious matter, and we as a society don't treat it as such.

As an opener take a look at this video:

As a veteran, I too need to address my mental health. As a public health educator, I know how important it is to manage your overall health. I literally can’t stress that enough.

For years, mental illness has plagued the ranks of the U.S. military. Let's take Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or more commonly known as PTSD) for example... Did you know that 1 in 5 combat veterans suffer from PTSD? Did you also know that many veterans do not seek help, because they are afraid of the stigma that follows?

Let's take a look at this video:

What did you think of the video?

Recently, we’ve partnered with Bicycle Health to discuss more on behavioral and mental health. Research conducted by Bicycle Health revealed that according to the National Center for PTSD, 20% of veterans with PTSD also have Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and 33% of veterans in treatment for SUD also have PTSD.

Bicycle Health recently published an educational guide on PTSD and addiction, why they're connected, treatment options, challenges, and more. A link to their website and resources has been added to our Veterans Resources page.

Today, mental illness is surging. A CDC study showed that there is a shortage of mental health practitioners and an increase in adults needing mental health support; which has now created a bigger crisis.

Mental illnesses are unfortunately very common in the United States and in the ranks of our military. It has been estimated that approximately 52.9 million people live with a mental illness...

The more you know…

Alright guys…I think it’s time we reflect a little bit. This was a very deep topic to discuss today, but as I mentioned it is crucial element to our overall well-being and we must ensure that all blocks are checked.

So, in closing, I just want to say that it is important now more than ever to take care of your mental health. Don't fall victim to the stigma, don't be afraid to seek help. Go now!

Until next time, be easy!

Peace, Love, & Chicken Grease!

-Eboney💖