Every year, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in the U.S. Locally, in Macomb County between 2018 and 2020, 15.3 percent of adults 18 years or older reported fair or poor mental health in the past 30 days, proving mental health struggles are pertinent and exist right in our backyard. Yet, many individuals struggling continue to face persisting stigma, misinformation, and in some cases, guilt and shame.

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to educating communities about the impact and prevalence of mental illnesses, and reducing stigma so folks feel empowered and comfortable getting the help they deserve. To do this, education and open discourse are crucial.

Nowadays, with so much information at our fingertips, self-diagnosing and generalizing various mental illnesses isn’t uncommon. A study from Tebra shows 1 in 4 people have diagnosed themselves with a mental illness based on social media information, and only 43 percent of those folks followed up with a medical professional. First and foremost, when discussing mental health: If you believe you are experiencing mental health symptoms, consulting with a professional to receive a formal diagnosis is safest — both from a medical perspective and a pure factual standpoint to ensure only accurate information is spread.

USA Today reports in the U.S. the most common mental illnesses are, in order, anxiety (19.1 percent of adults affected), major depressive episode (8.3 percent), post-traumatic stress disorder (3.6 percent) — which keep in mind, may be attributed to any traumatic event or situation — bipolar disorder (2.8 percent), borderline personality disorder (1.4 percent) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (1.2 percent).

It’s vital to remember during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond that mental illness is a spectrum. Mental illnesses cannot be boxed up with surefire symptoms and behaviors. For example, having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) does not necessarily mean you like your space neat and tidy. Individuals with OCD often have debilitating obsessions and/or compulsions that may interfere with daily life; voicing you have a specific mental illness when you may not, can be extremely harmful.

The same thought process goes for depression and/or anxiety. Not every individual experiencing depression falls into the archetype we associate with it — keeping to themselves, staying home, etc. Many people with depression can be the complete opposite, reinforcing the idea that you cannot assume you understand a mental illness solely based on your preconceived idea of symptoms, as they present themselves quite differently from person to person.

Regardless of what we think we know about mental health and well-being, keeping an open mind is critical. Not only do symptoms vary, but also the severity of those symptoms — for example, some struggling with social anxiety may be able to go to a crowded sporting event, while others may not.

Mental Health Awareness Month may be over in a few weeks, but the commitment to advocacy and support shouldn’t end there.

One of the biggest ways you can support the mental health community is by educating yourself without assuming or generalizing, as well as continuing to have non-judgmental and transparent conversations surrounding mental well-being with friends and family. Mental health is extraordinarily nuanced, and many individuals need to hear the message that they aren’t alone — there are ways to seek resources and get help.

If you require support and services, look no further. Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) offers walk-in intakes Monday through Friday at our East and North locations from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals can also contact our crisis line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 586-307-9100. It’s okay to reach out and ask for help — we’re here to listen.

Elizabeth Vutci is the Director of Community and Behavioral Health Services at Macomb County Community Mental Health.