Mental health is one of those topics discussed more so after someone has already reached an unhealthy point in their mental illness. I know we can all agree the lack of preventive care and seriousness of this issue is evident in the amount of heartbreaking stories we are hearing on the news everyday.

  Preventive mental health care is needed in order to recognize the signs to look for and understand what you may be experiencing. So many people are struggling with their mental health and aren't even aware they're walking around with something treatable. People go for physicals every year and have their blood drawn to check for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes. They get weighed and questioned about everything except their mental health.

   There is a major correlation between our mental and physical health. Mental health conditions lead to a decline in our physical health and vice versa. If our physical health is not well it puts us at risk for mental illness. I am speaking from what I have witnessed in my community and experienced with my own family.

   We're constantly reminded that at a certain age men need to be screened for prostate cancer and women need to have a mammogram to make sure we do not have breast cancer and also to catch it before it's too late. These are very important screenings, but not any more or less important than a mental illness that can also take your life, someone else's or lead to incarceration.

  Mental illness does not discriminate. There is not a certain look, age, race or background that is not at risk. The sooner the diagnosis the better the chances of receiving the appropriate treatment and living a normal life!

  If my son would have had mental health assessments yearly before he turned 18, things might have been different. A doctor could have noticed something before it was too late. Before I lost my rights as a parent to control what he agrees or disagrees with. It would have given me more time to help him understand it is perfectly okay, to not be okay. He had a future! He had talents and goals he did not get to fulfill because of a late diagnosis! His life is by no means over but both of our lives have been terribly impacted and setback by his mental health. I do not want anyone to have to go through what I have gone through watching my child struggle and question why they even exist.  Feeling something is wrong and trying to seek help but being turned away again and again. To spend every last penny getting their child out of trouble when the real problem is not being addressed by doctors, acknowledged by police officers or the justice system. The endless sleepless nights wondering if you will ever see your loved one again. Expecting those late night phone calls from a hospital or officer telling you your worst fear. It's something I do not wish on anyone. 

   It's become too common to hear about mentally ill committing crimes but not common enough hearing about ways to preserve our mental health. I am not trying to excuse their actions but are we really doing all we can to help bring awareness and change to prevent this from happening? 

I will continue to be the voice for everyone suffering in silence and the voice for all the families affected by mental illness. This needs to be addressed before more families are left scarred.

If other preventive measures can be mandated for our safety, mental health check-ups should be too! 

Thanks for your help!