CLEVELAND — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and officials are working to break the stigma that surrounds the topic.

"Talking about it is probably the best way to reduce that stigma," said Dr. Leslie Heinberg, the vice chair of Psychology at The Cleveland Clinic. She pointed to resources available from the National Alliance on Mental Health, including a crisis hotline and support groups. She also suggested reaching out to your primary care provider. 

The COVID-19 pandemic created a greater need for those resources. A study by the World Health Organization found reporting of anxiety and depression jumped 25% worldwide during the first year of pandemic. The American Psychological Association reported an increase in demand for treatment, increased workloads and longer waitlists than before the pandemic. 

Heinberg stressed mental health and physical health go hand in hand.

"We need to think of ourselves, our patients, our friends and our neighbors, as whole people. We think about how we are feeling physically, and we need to think about how we're feeling psychologically and mentally."

If you or someone you know needs mental health resouces contact NAMI at (800) 950-NAMI or email info@nami.org. Its hotline is available Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. EST.