Mental Health Awareness Month: Why Mental Health Care Matters More Than Ever

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May, serving as an important reminder that mental health deserves the same attention, compassion, and treatment as physical health. It is a time to increase awareness, reduce stigma, encourage conversations, and remind people that seeking help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

Each May, healthcare providers, communities, schools, and organizations across the country work to highlight the importance of recognizing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and other mental health conditions that affect millions of Americans every year.

Yet despite growing awareness, many people still go untreated because of cost, limited access to care, stigma, or simply not knowing where to begin.

In today’s world, mental health concerns are affecting families, workplaces, schools, and communities at record levels—and here in Indiana, the numbers tell an important story.

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Mental Health in Indiana: The Reality

Recent data shows that approximately 1.26 million adults in Indiana live with a mental health condition, meaning nearly 1 in 5 Hoosiers are affected each year.

Additional Indiana mental health concerns include:

• About 24% of Indiana adults report having some form of mental illness each year

• Roughly 6% of Indiana adults live with serious mental illness, including severe depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia

• Indiana continues to face major access barriers, especially in rural communities where psychiatric services are limited

• Many adults still do not receive treatment despite ongoing symptoms

  
  

Even more concerning, many people delay treatment for years because symptoms often start gradually—fatigue, poor sleep, irritability, loss of motivation, racing thoughts, or difficulty concentrating are frequently dismissed as “just stress.”

Common Mental Health Conditions Seen in Primary Care

Mental health concerns often first appear in a primary care setting. Common conditions include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Depression

• Panic disorder

• Adjustment disorder

• Insomnia

• PTSD

• ADHD

• Grief-related emotional distress

• Burnout and chronic stress

  
  

Many people are surprised to learn that physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, chest tightness, palpitations, fatigue, and body aches can also be tied to mental health.

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Medication Options for Mental Health

Medication can be an important tool when symptoms interfere with daily life.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) help anxiety and depression by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood, sleep, emotions, and overall sense of well-being.

In simple terms:

• Your brain naturally uses serotonin to help you feel balanced emotionally

• After serotonin sends its message, the brain normally reabsorbs it

• SSRIs slow down that reabsorption process

• This leaves more serotonin available between brain cells

  
  

With more serotonin available, many people notice:

• less constant worrying

• fewer racing thoughts

• improved mood

• better sleep

• less irritability

• improved ability to handle daily stress

**SSRIs do not work immediately—they usually take 2 to 6 weeks to build up enough effect to notice improvement ⏳

Examples include:

• Sertraline

• Escitalopram

• Fluoxetine

Often used for:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Panic attacks

• OCD

  
  
  
  

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) help anxiety and depression by increasing two important brain chemicals: serotonin and norepinephrine.

In simple terms:

• Serotonin helps with mood, calmness, sleep, and emotional balance

• Norepinephrine helps with energy, focus, motivation, and alertness

  
  

Normally, the brain reabsorbs these chemicals after they send signals. SNRIs slow that process down, so more of both chemicals stay available in the brain.

This can help people feel:

• less anxious

• less emotionally overwhelmed

• more motivated

• improved concentration

• more stable mood

• better ability to manage stress

SNRIs help both the emotional and energy centers of the brain work better together.

Because they affect energy too, SNRIs can be especially helpful for people who have:

• depression with low energy

• anxiety with fatigue

• chronic pain along with mood symptoms

  
  

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)

Examples include:

• Venlafaxine

• Desvenlafaxine

• Duloxetine

Often used for:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Chronic pain syndromes

**Like SSRIs, SNRIs usually take a few weeks to fully work—often 2 to 6 weeks ⏳

Other Common Options

• Bupropion

• Buspirone

• Hydroxyzine

  
  

Medication decisions should always be individualized based on symptoms, side effects, medical history, and patient goals. Talk with your provider to see if these are options for you.

Therapy Is Often Just As Important As Medication

Medication is only one part of mental health care. Therapy can be equally important and often improves long-term outcomes.

Common therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Trauma-focused therapy

• Solution-focused counseling

• Mindfulness-based therapy

• Behavioral coaching

  
  

Therapy helps patients identify triggers, improve coping skills, and develop long-term strategies for emotional wellness.

Mental Health Care Starts With One Conversation

Mental health symptoms are medical symptoms. They deserve attention, support, and treatment without shame.

If you have been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, anxious, struggling with sleep, or simply not feeling like yourself, reaching out is an important first step 🌿✨

May is a powerful reminder that mental health matters every month of the year—and help is available.

Suicide Awareness and Seeking Help

Suicidal thoughts can happen when emotional pain feels overwhelming, but those thoughts should never be faced alone. Feeling hopeless, trapped, exhausted, or like things will never improve are signs that immediate support is needed—not signs of weakness.

It is important to know that suicidal thoughts can improve with treatment, support, and early intervention. Talking to a healthcare provider, therapist, trusted family member, or crisis professional can be the first step toward safety and healing.

Warning signs may include:

• feeling hopeless

• withdrawing from others

• major changes in sleep or mood

• increased anxiety or agitation

• talking about feeling like a burden

• loss of interest in normal activities

  
  

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mental health emergencies deserve the same urgent attention as physical emergencies. Reaching out can save a life.

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How Direct Primary Care Can Help Mental Health

Direct Primary Care offers something many patients have been missing: time, accessibility, and relationship-based care 💚

Unlike rushed traditional visits, Direct Primary Care allows for:

• Longer appointments

• Easier follow-up

• Direct provider communication

• Faster medication adjustments

• Early intervention before symptoms worsen

• Better coordination with therapy and specialty care

  
  

Mental health concerns often require ongoing conversations—not just one short appointment. Having direct access to your provider can make a major difference in managing anxiety, depression, sleep concerns, and stress-related symptoms.