Having a chronic illness is stressful, even if you manage your disease and your stress well. It is true most chronic diseases are connected with a higher chance of developing a mental health problem. Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day–and there is no better time to talk about mental health than today.

While each chronic health condition has different statistics on how it impacts mental health, here are a few key examples from the research.

Practicing stress management techniques, learning emotional coping skills for when you are struggling with or just burned out from your illness, and even speaking with a therapist can help you manage your chronic disease and deal with the emotional or psychological impacts it has. If you already have a co-existing mental health condition, know that you aren’t alone and reach out for help from both professionals and your peers. Online communities can provide a more anonymous place to seek support from people who understand.

Taking steps to minimize the anxiety or stress around your medical condition can help, such as storing items you may need in various places, such as your bag, desk, and close friend or family members’ homes, so you don’t have to worry in the event you forget to bring something. Wearing medical ID jewelry with In Case of Emergency contact information can also provide you assurance that you will be treated properly and promptly in an emergency. Medical IDs engraved with ICE followed by a name or relation and phone number can help responders or hospital staff contact your loved ones to be with you and provide details. Medical ID jewelry can lessen some of the anxiety or stress experienced about the unpredictability of living with a chronic disease.

If you’re a past My Identity Doctor customer, we offer discounted ID replacement tags/plates for when your medical information changes (or you’re just looking to switch it up!)—contact Jon if you’re ready to update your bracelet’s ID tag! Our full selection of medical ID jewelry can be found here.