Mental Illness Awareness Month, also known as Mental Health Awareness Month, was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate and increase awareness.

The more service members know about the mental health programs that are available to them the more equipped they'll be in terms of detection and description of these symptoms to command medical care professionals, who can accurately diagnose and treat the symptoms.

"All of us need to keep aware of our own mental health," said NSA Bahrain Mental Health counselor, LT. Griselda Haywood. "The more we bring awareness, hopefully, the easier it will be for people to come forward and seek help when they need it."

People can become misinformed from the Internet or unknowingly do things that could trigger mental health issues. By providing personnel with preventative information and offering informative classes, personnel can gain accurate information and a great support system that is in step with healthy lifestyle habits.

"If you notice a friend or family member may be suffering from a mental illness, there are things you can do to help," continued Haywood. "Be present for them without passing judgment or reacting with shock. Let them talk about what they're going through and then make sure they get to the right people for help. Most times people suffering from mental health issues just want relief from the mental pain they're experiencing so talking about it out loud and then getting the right help can bring a sense of hope and comfort."

The U.S. military strives to maintain a healthy operational force where all members are mentally healthy. The resources and programs developed within the military mental health community are specifically designed to provide preventive education, as well as treatment for mental health injuries and illnesses.

Personnel interested in seeking more information or treatment for mental health issues can inquire at NSA Bahrain Medical, Mental Health department.


For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/.