New Morning Star Baptist Church

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations come together to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care and resources.

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people do not like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However:

· 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.

· 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.

· 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

· 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. 

If you are in a mental health crisis. Please contact any resource listed below:

• Call or Text 988 or Chat 988lifeline.org (available 24/7). You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741. 
• National Helpline: Treatment referral and information, 24/7. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7. 1-800-985-5990
• https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/
• https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm
• https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

High blood pressure—or hypertension—is a major risk factor for heart disease. Half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many do not know they have it. High blood pressure is often “silent,” meaning it doesn’t usually cause symptoms but can damage your body, especially your heart over time. Having poor heart health also increases the risk of severe illness. Blood Pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body. Your blood pressure naturally goes up and down throughout the day. When blood pressure is high, it causes damage to your blood vessel walls that worsen over time. Certain factors increase your risk of high blood pressure, such as: being overweight, having a family history of high blood pressure, eating too much salt, drinking too much alcohol, and increasing age. High blood pressure is serious, but the good news is that there are many ways to manage blood pressure.

• · Know Your Numbers
• · Eat Healthy
• · Move More
• · Aim for Healthy Weight
• · Manage Stress
• · Have a Healthy Pregnancy
• · Stop Smoking
• · Collaborate with You Doctor

For more information visit these webpages:

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure
• https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-education-month

 National Stroke Awareness Month

National Stroke Awareness Month is observed in the United States every year during May. Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a healthier world with fewer strokes. A stroke is a medical condition where poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two main types of strokes — ischemic stroke, which occurs due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs due to bleeding. Both conditions cause parts of the brain to stop functioning properly. A stroke happens in America every 40 seconds, and someone dies of it every four minutes. 

It is also preventable and treatable. When you spot a stroke warning sign, act fast. Recognizing the stroke warning signs and calling 911 immediately may make the difference between a strong recovery or long-term disability, survival, or death.

Warning Signs of Stoke: F.A.S.T

• · Face Drooping
• · Arm Weakness
• · Speech Difficulty
• · Time to Call 911

For more information visit these webpages:

• https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/stroke-awareness-month
• https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/stroke-awareness-month
• https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/
• https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms