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A new year offers a fresh start and opportunity to develop positive life strategies. But even with the best of intentions, almost all New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. It can be difficult to find the motivation to maintain these personal commitments, especially for those already managing mental health challenges.

For many, the holiday season is a joyful time spent with loved ones. For people experiencing loss, it can be a painful reminder of those no longer here. After nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are still reeling from losses and emotional turmoil caused by the devastating effects of the virus. Navigating grief and trauma during this season of gatherings and celebration can be challenging.

After returning from service, veterans often have to readjust to regular life but traumatic experiences in the military can lead to serious mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and substance use disorder. Despite emotional turmoil and stress, many veterans don’t seek treatment. In fact, less than 50% of returning veterans in need of mental health treatment receive help. 

Comorbidity is when two conditions, such as a specific mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, occur in the same person. In other words, many people who are experiencing addiction are often also dealing with preexisting mental health conditions. The link between substance abuse and mental health is complex. When comorbidity exists, it doesn’t mean one disorder caused the other, even if one condition shows up first.   

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the second-most common infection a person can experience and they account for almost 25 percent of all infections in the elderly, particularly those in long term care facilities, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Finding the right type of mental health care can be an intimidating. For some, concentrated inpatient care is necessary to address an acute crisis. For others, intensive outpatient care conducted while living at home can provide the right level of support.  

People of diverse racial and ethnic communities are just as likely as white people to experience mental health disorders, yet they are less likely to receive treatment. Those who seek treatment can face a number of barriers, including language and culture, making the diagnosis and recovery journey difficult.

Research shows Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans experienced the largest increase in mental health issues during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic but members of these communities were less likely to receive mental health care than white people. There are a several unique barriers to care that often make receiving quality behavioral health treatment more difficult for people of color.

LGBTQ adults are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health condition than heterosexual adults and transgender individuals are four times as likely. LGBTQ people often face discrimination, hurtful stereotypes harassment and violence, which can negatively impact mental health.