Did you know that 1 in 5 American adults suffer from a mental illness in any given year? Or that depression is a major health concern worldwide? Anxiety disorders affect even more of us, 26 percent according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If it’s so common, why does it seem so hard to talk about?
Despite effort on the part of health care providers to normalize the concept, the term mental illness has a negative stigma attached to it, possibly because of words like “neurotic” or “mad,” terms that were used 50 years ago. Fortunately, we know a lot more about the neurochemistry of mental illness than we did when Freud and others were using these terms. We’re also a long way from asylums for treatment; there are so many more effective treatment options than there were 50 years ago.
But effective treatment is a moot point if people suffering from mental illness are unwilling to seek help. Because of the negative stigma mental illness has, many people feel that emotional pain is a reflection on their character and believe that getting help is a sign of weakness. This fear, shame and misunderstanding keep people suffering in silence.
To address this issue of shame and misunderstanding, many health care clinics are taking part in a national care model known as Integrated Behavioral Health. Aimed at addressing the full range of health, these clinics see the importance of treating not just the physical parts of a person but the mental and behavioral parts as well. Trained mental health counselors are on site during business hours to meet with patients who might benefit, allowing patients to meet with a counselor without ever having to leave the doctor’s office. Not only is this convenient for the patient, it helps to normalize the care received and begins to remove the stigma associated with “seeing a shrink.”
If you know someone who is withdrawn, seems down or “not themselves,” remember that the best thing you can do is take notice, ask how they are feeling and listen. Trying to fix it with advice often makes a person feel worse. Intentional listening and offering support are the best gifts you can give a person suffering from mental illness. Suggest they talk to a health care professional. Encourage them to seek wellness. Help put them on a road to health and do your part to disband the stigma associated with mental illness. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic has Behavioral Health Therapists on staff. If you or someone you know is suffering, make an appointment with your provider to discuss this care option. If you have questions regarding this service or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 218-387- 2330.
Amy Marie Schmidt is a registered nurse at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic
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