October 6th-12th is Mental Illness Awareness Week. 1 in 5 adults experience mental health conditions each year. Mental health conditions are not caused by personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. They are medical conditions that can impact a person’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect their ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Genetics, the structure of the brain, environment and lifestyle can all impact mental health.
Know the Warning Signs
- Depression: Feeling sad, withdrawn, or unmotivated for more than two weeks.
- Self-Harm: Making plans to or trying to harm or kill oneself.
- Risk-Taking: Out of control, risky behaviors.
- Fear: Overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
- Weight Change: Significant weight loss or gain; taking harmful action to lose weight
- Mood Swings: Severe mood swings causing problems in relationships.
- Substance Use: Excessive use of drugs or alcohol.
- Behavior: Drastic changes in behavior, personality or sleeping habits.
- Lack of Focus: Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still.
- Intense Worries: Intense worries or fears getting in the way of daily activities.
Find Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs of a mental health condition, seek help right away. Reach out to your healthcare provider or any of the following resources:
TCC Behavioral Health
(907) 459-3800 (Option 2 for after hours)
Available for many treatment services and for crises
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
(Not an emergency service)
(907) 729-2492 or (833) 642-2492
Register to become a client at https://www.anthc.com
911 Mobile Crisis
Dial 911 and request MOBILE CRISIS
Access to local mental health professionals and supportive peers 24/7
988 Alaska Careline
Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org
Support for anyone in crisis or who is helping someone in crisis
Crisis Text Line
Text “Native” to 74141
Access a trained crisis counselor 24/7
The Trevor Project
(866) 488-7386 or text “Start” to 678678
Specializing in the LGBTQIA+ community