FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Mental health has become an increasingly significant topic of conversation these days. Mental health conditions can affect a person’s mood, thinking and behavior, and as doctors sort through a labyrinth of symptoms, causes and treatment, one of the most important things to do is to spread awareness. Click here for more MedWatch Today Click here for Community Medical Centers' homepage “I think that overall, the stigma has decreased. There's a lot more people willing to talk about mental health,” said Doctor Lilianna Yuen, a psychiatrist at Community Behavioral Health Center.  Patients often don’t know where to turn or where to start searching for help. But that’s where having a support system comes into play. Oftentimes, it is loved ones who are the ones reaching out for help first. “Patients often don't feel like there's anything wrong,” Dr. Yuen said. “So, it's usually a loved one who's getting them some help - supporting them through the diagnosis.” There are a lot more resources available today for help, but for those who don’t know where to start, simply contacting a professional of any sort is a great starting point. Once patients find the help they need, the overall prognosis is often encouraging, especially these days when the stigma around mental health has improved so much. “I think, not putting limits on people is important and not saying things like, my family member is never going to hold a job again, or they're going to be locked up in a mental institution for the rest of their lives,” said Dr. Yuen. “I think people can improve on medication to the point where they can do whatever they want to. So it's definitely not a life-limiting sentence.”