May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a local professional provides ways and resources that can help individuals who need it.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Specializing the Behavior and Mental Health with Greene County Medical Center Heather Wilson says emotional, psychological, and social well being contribute to an individual’s mental health, which can affect how someone acts, thinks or feels. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio some of the factors that can lead to mental health issues include genetics and family history of mental health illnesses, the individual’s environment that they are in, traumatic brain injuries, chronic diseases, among others.

Wilson describes some of the symptoms of mental illnesses including isolation, a decrease in interests or lack of motivation to do things, changes in someone’s routine, as well as some behavior changes, among others. Wilson advises when approaching an individual that is showing some of these symptoms, good communication is key to getting them resources.

“But also staying with them, helping them maybe line up the resources, and reassure them that they are not alone. Safety is always the number one priority. So if they are having thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves, hurt others, or just feel unsafe in general, going to an ER (emergency room), calling a mobile crisis line, or even 988, those are different things that you can do to help.”      

She adds being empathic, validating their feelings and normalizing the conversation are good ways to begin those conversations.