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The Wellness Council of Great Colorado Valley is focusing on May as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions.
Focusing on having good mental health is essential for overall well-being at every stage of life. Regardless of age, background, or experience, prioritizing good mental health strengthens individuals, families, and communities.
But talking about mental health, mental disorders and illnesses still is difficult for so many individuals. A stigma that developed in early civilization that behaviors resulting from mental illnesses were caused by evil spirits, the devil and such may have been proved otherwise by science, but the stigma continues to hang on in our society. People just don’t want to talk about it although that is the most important and the best thing we can do! It is healthy to talk about our emotions, especially the negative feelings we have at times. Otherwise, these negative feelings can deepen and become overwhelming within the privacy of our minds.
There are a variety of reasons why individuals suffer from such disorders as depression, suicidal ideations, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, addictions and other compulsions. Many are truly biologically based medical problems – brain disorders; others develop because of trauma and trauma does not have to be just a single horrific event, but can also result from ongoing, relentless stress that turns into distress which can lead to depression, anxiety and other disorders. Additionally, there is the very real issue of dysfunctional family systems that can include lack of parenting, abusive parenting and over-parenting, any of which can leave children to grow up feeling insecure, unworthy, unlovable, and incapable.
Senior Citizens:
Aging eventually brings about various life changes that also impact mental health. There are issues related to the physical wellbeing including decreased energy levels and mobility; loss of a spouse; needing assistance for day-to-day care; having to move for health and assistance issues and leaving friends, church, organizations, etc. behind. All of these events result in the aging adult grieving many losses, which too often is not addressed and results in seniors developing depression and/or anxiety. They lose their zest for life as life becomes an ongoing series of losses, doctor appointments and limitations to experiencing life fully. And mental health conditions in older adults may present differently and be difficult to diagnose.
Children:
Children also need the adult world that cares for them – parents, schools, extended-family -- to be aware that they need good mental health care. Parents who take the time to be involved with their children and attend to their needs, including having relationships with open communication and emotional support, will see their children grow to be healthy, responsible, resilient and productive young adults. Remembering that the emotional/ mental health of a child is just as important as their physical health is extremely important.
And yet we know that not all children come into this world healthy – physically or mentally. Early intervention when a child’s development is delayed or behavior falls outside of acceptable and ‘normal’ range for a specific age is essential. Any delay in addressing these early identified problems just makes the recovery process more difficult. The Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) statewide program within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is available for all families with children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays, disabilities or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development.
It is state funded and there are no restrictions as to who may be served. ECI services support families as they learn how to help their children grow and learn.
Teens:
Teens today have so many challenges with so much of their world wrapped up in technology. They can study and do homework online and they learn very early how to use cell phones, iPads and computers. They can surf the internet not just for writing a paper, but for absolutely any topic that crosses their mind. Teen’s communication and social skills overall are decreasing (according to research) as they use text messaging and chat rooms socially instead of person-to-person contact. Teens are being exposed to information before their brains have developed fully and can process it all, and the fact that many games, websites and other social media have been purposefully developed to entice and even addict young users seems to escape an adult world that is not placing sufficient limits on device usage by young people.
For all ages it is important to recognize that mental and physical health are deeply connected, a problem in one area can cause the development of a problem in the other area. For instance, depression and anxiety increase the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. And a chronic illness can increase the risk of anxiety and depression. Everywhere you look, health professionals are touting the importance of regular exercise, good nutrition, and quality sleep – and the reality is they all matter! It seems one of the greatest challenges for good self-care is busyness in most peoples’ lives; there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to do all the healthy and preventive care activities that help individuals to be mentally and physically well.
Join The Wellness Council this Thursday, May 8 at 12 – 1 p.m. at Colorado County Courthouse, First Floor Courtroom, for a presentation by Dr. Bart Klaus, Family Physician as he talks about Senior Health and Healthcare. Rice Medical will also make a presentation about their psychiatric services and Senior IOP Behavioral Health Program along with their ‘Swing Bed’ program. The public is invited.
