May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  Over the last two years, we have seen a rise in mental illnesses and those experiencing mental health symptoms.  Most of us have family members or friends who are dealing with mental health conditions and have seen firsthand the impact and the importance of getting help.

Health experts urge you to reach out if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step. Contact your health care provider or state/county mental health office for more information and resources.

Just like maintaining physical health, there are also steps you can take to promote mental health and wellness.  There is a growing body of peer-reviewed research that shows a healthy diet can positively impact mental health as well as promote feelings of well being.  In January 2020, a comprehensive literature review of studies which specifically examined the impact of fruits and vegetables on mental health concluded the following:

“The most prominent results indicated that high total intake of fruits and vegetables, and some of their specific subgroups including berries, citrus, and green leafy vegetables, may promote higher levels of optimism and self-efficacy, as well as reduce the level of psychological distress, ambiguity, and cancer fatalism, and protect against depressive symptoms.

“Taken together, it can be concluded that fruits and/or vegetables, and some of their specific subgroups, as well as processed fruits and vegetables, seems to have a positive influence on mental health, as stated in the vast majority of the included studies. Therefore, the general recommendation to consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day may be beneficial also for mental health.”

In addition to a healthy diet, research has also shown that staying physically active, getting adequate sleep and helping and connecting with others can benefit mental health.

For more information on mental health and to learn where to get help if you or someone you know or love is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, visit  www.mentalhealth.gov.