Top 5 Mental Health Trends To Look Forward To In The New Year
Mental health is an ever-growing issue not only in our country but around the world.
While society has come a long way from lobotomies and exorcisms, the need for new and innovative mental health treatment is constant.
As our world changes, the steps we take in addressing mental illness must change along with it.
Looking forward to 2023, the conversation around mental health is only getting bigger. There are many factors that contribute to the rise in mental health concerns, but it's clear that more people are aware of their mental health and how it affects their lives.
To help classify these trends, we've put together a list of five major changes we expect to see in 2023:
Meditation Will Explode In Popularity
Meditation has become increasingly popular in recent years, and we expect it will continue to grow as a tool for reducing stress and improving overall mental health. Not only does meditation help soothe your emotional body, it provides countless benefits for your physical body as well!
While meditation can't cure depression or anxiety, it can help you manage them.
It can also help you sleep better and focus more effectively on tasks at hand.
And if you're suffering from chronic pain or headaches? Meditation may be just what the doctor ordered!
The Use of Technology in Mental Health Care Will Increase
Let’s be honest: what area of society has technology not touched? It’s no surprise it’s taking the mental health world by storm, too.
If you’re looking for help with your mental health, there are a variety of apps and programs that can offer support. Healthcare providers will be using technology more in the future to provide mental health services.
These include apps that range from simple self-assessments to those more comprehensive programs like Talkspace or BetterHelp that allow users to chat with therapists online.
There are also apps created specifically for children and teens (such as the Anxiety Cop) as well as programs catered towards older adults (like My Aging Parent) or those living with autism (like The Repertoire).
There has been an increase in the number of companies working on these types of applications since there is so much demand for them today.
More Access To Mental Health In The Workplace
In 2023, more employers will offer mental health benefits and services.
As the stigma around mental illness decreases and people become more comfortable talking about it, many companies are realizing that offering better access to mental healthcare benefits is an important part of keeping their employees healthy, happy, and motivated.
This can be as simple as providing financial reimbursement for therapy visits or helping employees find a therapist they like through employee referrals.
It can also mean offering paid time off (PTO) for mental health days.
In fact, according to a 2018 survey by Mental Health America (MHA), half of Americans say they have received PTO specifically for mental health purposes in the last five years alone!
Reduction of the Mental Health Stigma
This trend is amazing and could be the key to reducing the stereotypes surrounding mental health.
Thankfully, negative attitudes towards mental health are fading as people become more open about their mental health issues. The stigma is still there, but it's lessening every day!
People are afraid to talk about their mental health because they don't want others to think of them as crazy or weak.
Doctors are becoming more common in helping people with mental health issues, which means people will feel less alone and more supported by society than ever before!
A lot of people still don't understand mental health. They just assume that if you're feeling sad or have anxiety, then it's not a real issue and there isn't much you can do about it except wait for it to pass naturally over time (or maybe go see a therapist). This prevents millions of people around the world from accessing care they desperately need!
Parents Will Talk To Their Kids About Mental Health
Even mentioning the mere idea of mental illness in decades prior was extremely taboo. Due to misinformation and a lack of education, mental health topics were rarely discussed in the home or in a public setting.
However, the tides are changing!
In 2023, we predict parents will talk to their kids about mental health in schools and at home.
As a result of the awareness campaigns, parents will be more aware of the importance of mental health for their children’s success. Parents will also be more comfortable discussing this topic with them.
In addition to talking about mental health, parents should also practice good self-care habits that can help them avoid getting overwhelmed by stress or anxiety and set a healthy example for little eyes watching.
For example:
- Relaxation exercises like yoga or meditation can help you calm down when you feel nervous or stressed out.
- Exercise is another way to release endorphins (your brain’s natural “feel good'' chemicals) after a stressful day so that you sleep better at night! Try taking a walk around your neighborhood instead of sitting on social media all evening long!
2023 Is Going To Bring A lot Of Positive Initiatives For The Future Of Mental Health
Here’s the bottom line- we’re going to see some positive changes surrounding mental health in 2023.
From harnessing the power of meditation, utilizing technology, an increase in mental health access, and more open, honest conversations, we’re beginning to create a world in which nobody has to struggle with their mental illness alone.
In fact, we’ve already seen a lot of great things happening post-pandemic, but there is still more work to be done. Fortunately, the way the world views mental health is changing, with a growing emphasis on increased visibility and accessibility of care.
There are more initiatives than ever before supporting people who need help, and there will continue to be new ways that we can all make an impact on those around us.