\t\tReading Time: 2 minutes<\/p>\n
Every October, the County reminds San Diegans to ask themselves how they\u2019re feeling as part of Check your Mood, an initiative to promote mental health screenings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Check Your Mood<\/a> encourages residents to take a quick\u202fonline self-assessment to determine whether they are experiencing normal levels of stress and are being mindful of their mental health. The assessment is not diagnostic, but a great way to help monitor mood and overall emotional well-being.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n While October serves as a reminder, behavioral health professionals recommend people perform a mental health check-in year-round.\u00a0<\/p>\n People who experience mental illness like depression are not alone. The national Department of Health and Human Services says one in five U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite it being common, many people do not know what they are experiencing is a mental illness. Others suffer in silence out of fear of being stigmatized.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Symptoms of depression can include lack of energy, sadness, loss of interest in activities that previously brought joy, and trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Ways to Feel Better\u202f<\/p>\n Self-care tips like connecting with friends and family, going for a walk outside, mediating, eating health nutritious meals and listening to music and dancing can help.<\/p>\n No-cost resources are available to help people experiencing a mental health challenge that can affect thinking, emotions, behaviors or mood.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The County\u2019s\u202f30-Day Mental Wellness Practice<\/a>, is a free and friendly way to engage in daily self-care activities like developing a nighttime routine, trying a new recipe, calling a loved one, doing a one-day digital detox, coloring or watching the sunset.\u202fFor the younger crowd, a new Youth Mental Wellness Practice<\/a> is available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The County\u2019s\u202fUp2SD.org<\/a>\u202fand\u202fOwnYourMindset.org<\/a>\u202fwebsites also have resources for adults and youth to take control of their mental health.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n