May is celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month.

We all have mental health but sometimes our mental health struggles. Some people may develop a mental illness.  Mental illness has the capability to impact our ability to communicate effectively.  It can impact our expressive and receptive communication skills; how we interact with the world.  Sometimes the symptoms or even the medications to treat those symptoms impact our whole body.  It is important to not only recognize that this could happen but also to know what to do when you or someone you know is living with a mental health challenge.  Different diagnoses impact people differently but knowing what to do goes a long way in helping everyone to be heard.

Approximately 21% of the population in the United States are living with a mental illness. For people with an intellectual disability that statistic increases to 40%. 

We invite you to check out the Communication And…Series developed with over 25 diagnoses in mind for more information on how to communicate effectively when someone is living with a mental illness.