Have You Checked Your Mood Recently

Every October, the County reminds San Diegans to ask themselves how they're feeling as part of Check your Mood, an initiative to promote mental health screenings.

Check Your Mood encourages residents to take a quick online self-assessment to determine whether they are experiencing normal levels of stress and are being mindful of their mental health. The assessment is not diagnostic, but a great way to help monitor mood and overall emotional well-being.

While October serves as a reminder, behavioral health professionals recommend people perform a mental health check-in year-round.

People who experience mental illness like depression are not alone. The national Department of Health and Human Services says one in five U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year.

Despite it being common, many people do not know what they are experiencing is a mental illness. Others suffer in silence out of fear of being stigmatized.

Symptoms of depression can include lack of energy, sadness, loss of interest in activities that previously brought joy, and trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Ways to Feel Better

Self-care tips like connecting with friends and family, going for a walk outside, mediating, eating health nutritious meals and listening to music and dancing can help.

No-cost resources are available to help people experiencing a mental health challenge that can affect thinking, emotions, behaviors or mood.

The County's 30-Day Mental Wellness Practice , is a free and friendly way to engage in daily self-care activities like developing a nighttime routine, trying a new recipe, calling a loved one, doing a one-day digital detox, coloring or watching the sunset. For the younger crowd, a new Youth Mental Wellness Practice is available.

The County's Up2SD.org and OwnYourMindset.org websites also have resources for adults and youth to take control of their mental health.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health challenge, call the San Diego Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 or 988 . Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by experienced counselors, and offer help in more than 200 languages.