Mental Health Column

A Month for Mental Health

By Brad Ridenour CEO of Clark Community Mental Health Center and a Licensed Professional Counselor

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the stress and strain of the last two years, many have recognized how their mental health has been affected. For significant reasons like an increase in suicide and overdose death rates, there has been greater focus on the importance of mental health and how it impacts individual lives and our society at large. Here are the most recent numbers available all of which were reported prior to the start of the pandemic. Prevailing wisdom says these numbers will only worsen following the pandemic crisis: One in five adults will experience a diagnosable mental health problem or substance use disorder in any given year. Think about it. One out of every five adults you encounter at the grocery or department store, gym, church, or in the neighborhood may have a mental health or substance use problem this year. Six to 7 percent of full-time employees experience a Major Depressive Disorder each year. But, mental health problems, don’t just impact adults. In fact, 50% of mental health problems start to develop before the age of 14.

In total, almost half the population has a chance of developing a mental/behavioral health problem during a lifetime, but sadly fewer than half of individuals who need mental health treatment each year will seek it. Your mental health is important not only in May but every month of the year. If you have questions or concerns about your mental health you can see from the above statistics that you are not alone. Do yourself a favor and don’t delay in seeking assistance; there is no better time to start treatment than now. Why now? Research shows that treatment is effective, with early intervention showing the best results.

Show Me Hope @ The Clark Center

Are you concerned, that you or a loved one may be experiencing mental illness? You’re not alone. Mental health is important for overall health and well-being. Mental illness affects millions of people and their families nationwide. There are many effective treatment options, and help is only a phone call away. Here 24/7...... Show Me Hope, call or text: 1-800-985-5990 Clark Center: 417-235-6610 Resiliency • Community • Recovery

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