Mental Health
Awareness
Discover the importance of treating mental health with the same amount of care as physical health for overall well-being.
What is
mental health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health is a combination of emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel and act along with how well you handle stress and make healthy choices like getting physical activity and eating a nutritious diet.
Proper mental health can help you cope with stressful life situations so you can continue to engage productively in everyday life. If you feel overwhelmed, stressed and generally unhappy, your mental health may need a little TLC. Dr. Kevin Carroll, vice president of behavioral health at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa, recommends actively listening to close family and friends as one way to gauge mental health. “Questions such as ‘Are you feeling okay? You seem down lately,’ plus our own internal assessments can give people the nudge they need to ask for professional help,” he says.
Recognizing and nurturing mental health can, in some cases, prevent more serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality or eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. These are diagnosed by a medical professional and should be treated by a mental health specialist.
Why mental health is important
Maintaining positive mental health is crucial to support positive behaviors, emotions and thoughts. “Life is better and easier when you have good mental health,” says Dr. Carroll. “Poor mental health can result in many challenges and compromise functioning at school and work, and with family and friends.” When you take care of your mental health, you’re more productive, it enhances your self-image and betters your relationships with others.
A sense of well-being also has some bearing on physical health. Heart disease, for example, can be related to stress. Some other benefits of taking care of mental health: improvements in mood, reduced anxiety, increased self-esteem and an enhanced sense of inner peace.
Causes of mental illness
Several factors can contribute to mental illness, including early adverse life events, experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain, use of alcohol and drugs and having feelings of loneliness.
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Mental illnesses are among the most frequent health conditions in the U.S.
*
Americans live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression.
1
in
25
Americans will experience mental illness each year.
1
in
5
of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime.
More than
50%
children, either currently or at some point in life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
1
in
5
Learn how common mental illness is, according to the CDC.
THE FACTS
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Hy-Vee can help with
RedBox RX provides low-cost telehealth and online pharmacy services for a range of mental health concerns.
This subsidiary of Hy-Vee makes it easy for people to get treatment for mental illness by offering quick, easy and discreet access to a health care provider who can prescribe medication that is mailed (with free shipping) to the patient. RedBox RX can help with mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, adult ADHD and performance anxiety.
RedBox RX bypasses insurance and offers treatment plans for men’s health, women’s health, hair and skin, mental health, primary care and more. The service is available to patients ages 18 and older nationwide. Telehealth consultation fees range from free to $39, depending on the type of treatment provided. RedBox RX does not accept insurance, but patients can use their HSA or FSA card to cover the cost of a telehealth visit or any prescription costs.
Learn More About RedBox RX
Hy-Vee
can help with
RedBox RX provides low-cost telehealth and online pharmacy services for a range of mental health concerns.
This subsidiary of Hy-Vee makes it easy for people to get treatment for mental illness by offering quick, easy and discreet access to a health care provider who can prescribe medication that is mailed (with free shipping) to the patient. RedBox RX can help with mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, adult ADHD and performance anxiety.
RedBox RX bypasses insurance and offers treatment plans for men’s health, women’s health, hair and skin, mental health, primary care and more. The service is available to patients ages 18 and older nationwide. Telehealth consultation fees range from free to $39, depending on the type of treatment provided. RedBox RX does not accept insurance, but patients can use their HSA or FSA card to cover the cost of a telehealth visit or any prescription costs.
Learn More About RedBox RX