There is no health without mental health! It is important to realize that both mental health and physical health play important roles in overall wellness.The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that about one in five adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. For example, feelings of stress, anxiety and sadness can impact our heart functioning and immune system. According to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, behavioral health encompasses mental, emotional and social wellness and actions that impact wellness. Learning about mental health and substance misuse conditions can help you become more aware of when outside  …

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally? Challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health. Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like  …