May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to put this critical issue in the spotlight. It’s an issue that touches every family in some way around the country. It’s evident in the problems we see played out, from mass shootings to a bullying epidemic and beyond; we have some serious issues that are causing pain and decreasing the quality of life for millions. The more we can identify the problem, and what to do about it, the better society will be. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness affects tens of millions of adults in the country, and only half of those people receive treatment. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness, which is nearly 60 million people. There are numerous things that people can do to focus on improving mental health, including:

• Get professional help. Many people need mental health treatment assistance, which is readily available. Working with a professional can help people get the tools they need to help improve their well-being. A counselor or therapist can help people identify the underlying issues, address concerns, and provide ways to cope with and improve conditions.

• Relax and reduce stress. When people feel stressed out, their bodies remain in a “fight or flight” response, and long-term stress can make health conditions worse. Engaging in ways to help reduce stress and anxiety can go a long way toward improving mental health and well-being. Consider practicing mindfulness, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, biofeedback, etc.

• Prioritize sleep. According to research published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, greater improvements in sleep quality lead to greater improvements in mental health. They conclude that sleep is causally related to the experience of mental health difficulties. Improving sleep quality can go a long way toward helping to improve one’s mental health.

• Reduce social media usage. Not only do teens feel worse when they spend time on social media, but adults do as well, so limiting how much time is spent on it is a good idea.

• Be more positive. Looking for the bright side has positive implications. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking and self-talk can increase life span, lower rates of depression and anxiety, provide better psychological and physical well-being, and more. It doesn’t mean someone is always positive, but it helps them find the good and bounce back from adversity.