May is Mental Health Awareness Month

          May is a busy month for a lot of things for me. It is a month that I can't keep track of things. I have like 10 birthdays, family members'  and friends, not really but it seems that way if I gave everyone a card. Not only is it Foster Care Awareness month but it is also Mental Awareness Month, which is a big deal for me since I have anxiety. I would like to say something about it and try to get people in the know. I know the month of May is almost over and I wish I could have done this entry sooner but at least I'm doing it now.
          I have known I had anxiety since 2 years ago but I probably had it all my life or at least since high school. I started taking meds. since I admitted it that I had it 2 years ago. It is something that people have to take easy with the ones that have it because it could be hard for them to admit. It was hard for me to admit it. I have had people want to help me in high school and college but I just wouldn't listen to them. It had to take me until I was living on my own to see that I needed it. I was even scared to admit it but once I got out into the world and knew people that had the same problem it helped me share my story and admit it too.
           I got help from my sister in law at first. She was the first one that pushed me to try the meds. and to see that I needed it. I have tried 3 different meds. and it was this Jan. that I finally found a cheap one that worked for me. I tried Zoloft first and then some other random kinds and now I am on Citalopram. I remember in high school, my senior year, is when we first started looking into things because I was scared to go to college like I was. I really thought that I had a little bit of Autism but turned out that I didn't have any signs of it.
           They suggested that I take some Zoloft just in case so I did and that is when it all started. I stopped even looking into it my 5 years in college and not to say that was a bad idea but I could have avoided some major test anxiety and choices if I would have looked more into. If I wasn't so scared of it and what other people would have thought about it. I feel a lot better now that it is out in the open more then it has been in the past and I am not scared to share about it because I know other people might be going through it too.
           I was searching for an organization really fast today to write about and let people know about and I found one. I was also searching for some facts about anxiety and other mental health issues. It has a branch in Fayetteville, AR. It is called "Mental Health America" and the website is"www.mentalhealthamerica.net. The first two websites are just about anxiety like facts and the different kinds of anxieties that a person can have. Then the last one is just ideas on how to control your mental health and keep it healthy.
          I have tried some of the things that is on the one to keep your brain healthy. Of course, writing my problems or thoughts out like this is a big one for me. Talking to God is another big one for me. I love reading books to take my mind someplace else. I also try and color whenever I can because it really does, at least, take me back to my childhood, especially if I do like a princess coloring book and another character book that was back in my time. I have also tried to eat healthy but like everyone else that doesn't stay for very long. Then there are some other things on there that I haven't thought of and need to try soon.
          All of this to say, "Don't stop being a friend to someone that has a mental illness and even if it something like anxiety they need you to be serious about it. Don't just blow it off. Really listen to them."  A lot of other people blow it off like it isn't a big deal and that is because they don't understand what it really is or what it really is like. If a person tells you about it, then that must mean they trust you enough to help them to deal with it. I will say that I have anxiety for sure but sometimes I wonder if I have more of the social anxiety then just the general anxiety. People can't work on their illness if they have no one to help them through it.
          Here is another website or two and one I know about and the other one I just found out about because I have worked with them in a way. I also have a friend that works at this place. The website is: http://www.ozarkguidance.org.
The other website is: https://www.mentalhealth.gov. I wish I would have time to look at them now but I will later as I challenge you to do the same and if they want volunteers, please think about helping them out.

Here are the websites I was talking about:

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/anxiety-disorders


http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/infographic-life-anxiety


http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health