Mental
Health Matters
For more resources regarding mental health and overall wellness, visit the PDA or ADA website, or check out the“ Health and Well-Being” resources on PDA Go.
If you or someone you know is in in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline. org for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It’ s okay to not be okay.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’ s a good time focus on mental health and emphasize its importance to overall health and well-being. Mental health conditions can affect anybody, regardless of gender, age, race or income level. One in five people are likely to have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition in the past year.
According to the 2021 ADA Dentist Well-Being Survey Report, 63 % of dentists reported experiencing some type of condition, the most common including anxiety and depression. The percentage of dentists who were diagnosed with anxiety more than tripled in 2021 compared to the same survey conducted in 2003.
What this data indicates is that many of us are not okay, and it’ s important to acknowledge that it’ s okay to NOT be okay. Mental health conditions are treatable, and the more we talk about mental health, the more we normalize talking about mental health, and the more we empower individuals to seek help when they need it.
Many things can be done to raise awareness into action for yourself, a loved one, or somebody in your community.
It could be as simple as adopting a healthy habit, such as eating well, getting enough sleep or exercising. Other strategies to consider include:
Practice gratitude: Thinking about what we are thankful for can help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.
Volunteer: Getting involved in our community or finding ways to help others can provide a healthy boost and an overall sense of purpose.
Engage in random acts of kindness: Small acts of kindness cannot only boost your mood, but can brighten someone else’ s day.
Practice mindfulness: Taking just a few minutes to mediate or do some breathing exercises can be extremely helpful in promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Seek Help: Whether it is for yourself of someone else, seek help if you are struggling or finding it difficult to cope. Recovery is possible.
Just listening and providing support can make a significant, or even lifesaving, difference to somebody struggling with mental illness.
32 MAY / JUNE 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL