May is Mental Health Awareness Month, The National Alliance on Mental Illness states this is an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background, or ability. We want every person out there to know that if all you did was wake up today, that’s more than enough. No matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love, and healing.
Mental health disabilities affect many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities it is believed that about 40% of people with IDD also have mental health disabilities. The Association for Community Living has a new resource that provides mental health information for people with IDD https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter
For more information on mental health, check out the links below.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness resources.
- Suicide Among People with Disabilities Care Provider Bulletin.
- Get help in a crisis (call 911 for immediate help).
- Learn the warning signs of a mental illness.
- Suicide prevention lifeline.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Mental Health Awareness Toolkit.
- Depression and Mental Health Signs and Self Survey.