4 minute read
Opinion
l etter
PUT AN EMPHASIS ON MENTAL HEALTH
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BY STEVE CAYWOOD
Over the past two years the term “stressed out” has taken on a new meaning for many of us across our country as we have learned to adapt to the challenges COVID-19 has introduced to our lives.
During the same time the national office of Mental Health America saw an increase of 500% over 2019, with over 5.4 million people accessing its online mental-health screening service.
This is a reminder that 1 in 5 people in our country has diagnosable mental illness each year, with 1 in 25 adults living with serious mental illness.
Applying these numbers to Beaufort County’s current population of more than 200,000 people, places roughly 40,000 in the 1 in 5 category and 8,000 in the 1 in 25 category for having a serious mental illness.
The more challenging side of this is that roughly only one-third of these people seek help and/or get treatment, with the remaining two-thirds going undiagnosed or treated. And this does not include the number of children and teens with mental illness.
That leads us to the key question: How do we as a community address the needs of those struggling with mental illness, the challenges they face and the stigma so often associated to it?
While there are not enough licensed psychiatrists and psychologists to meet the need, we are fortunate to have access to a broad array of other health professionals, counselors and organizations throughout Beaufort County.
Some of the organizations here to help fill the gaps include Coastal Empire Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as well as the county’s only inpatient mental health unit located at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and our organization, Mental Health AmericaBeaufort/Jasper. Founded on Hilton Head in 1976, Mental Health America-Beaufort/ Jasper relocated to Bluffton in 2014 and has operated continuously for 46 years, providing outpatient mental-health group counseling services through its psychiatric rehabilitation program. The program, called Island House, is one of only four such programs in South Carolina. It has been designed to help adults with severe and persistent mental illness work on their recovery goals in a highly supportive and nurturing group environment. Program members work toward enhancing their psychological, social and living skills as well as purposeful daily goal setting. One of the key differentiators of the Island House program is that it features a skills enhancement component, in which the clients work together to prepare their daily lunch meal and an afternoon snack. All food is generously supplied by Second Helpings, with the objective of this activity being used to encourage those in the program to help family members at home.
Going forward, we all must remember 1 in 5. Yes, 1 in 5 people will deal with mental illness in their lifetime, and what’s important is getting them help and treatment.
We all play a supporting role; from encouraging someone to get help and being mindful that people often avoid or delay seeking treatment or getting help because they are afraid of being treated differently or losing their jobs and livelihood.
Why? Because stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness is always out there, and it’s something we can all choose not to be a part of.
Remember, there is help available. By doing our part, we are all helping to build stronger communities.
Steve Caywood is Executive Director of Mental Health America-Beaufort/Jasper
MEET
VICKIE MCINTYRE
VICKIE MCINTYRE, FEATURED WRITER
Vickie McIntyre is a Pennsylvania native. She and her husband, Phil, lived in State College for more than 30 years as they raised their two sons.
The couple and their Great Dane-Labrador mix moved to the Lowcountry in 2018, following a five-year stint in Los Angeles, where McIntyre was the ghostwriter for Dianna De La Garza’s memoir, “Falling With Wings: A Mother’s Story.” (De La Garza is the mother of pop singer Demi Lovato).
Her love of words and stories has been lifelong. While living in Pennsylvania she taught English and ESL at the Grier School, a private school for girls, and was a frequent contributor to several regional magazines. Using the elements of story, she has also co-facilitated self-empowering workshops that explore where people are in their own life stories.
Thrilled to be living in Moss Creek, she spends part of each day enjoying the natural beauty of the local beaches, bike paths, and waterways.
Although “retired,” she has no plans for slowing down, preferring instead to fill her days with yoga, reading and exploring all things metaphysical while also attempting to write her first novel.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
WOW YOUR WEDDING GUESTS
By Jessica Farthing
With more than 2.5 million weddings on the books for 2022 already, chances are your wedding won’t be the only invitation your guests will receive. How do you keep your event stress-free and fun to attend? Try these tips to make it easy for everyone coming on your special day.
Keep the Registry Affordable
While creating a wedding registry is helpful for everyone wanting to celebrate the couple, it’s important to have a range of gift costs for everyone to be able to hit their budget (“fancier” versions of household essentials like dish towels is a more affordable option recommended by the New York Times).
Some couples are turning to requesting a donation to their favorite charity to keep things simple.
Make a wedding website
Wedding websites not only have practical value, but they can also share memories, photos and be highly personalized. Couples can create a custom URL and share that information as soon as the ‘Save the Date’ card gets put in the mail.
Keep it simple
Consider getting married and having a reception in the same location or plan what’s being called a “micro-wedding,” which is usually no more than 50 guests.
