Beyond Understanding: Mental Health

By Angela Arlington

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Stigma around mental illness still exists, so how can we change that? Awareness, education, advocacy, and treatment are key. Mental illnesses can affect anyone at any age – it does not discriminate in any way.

Here are some statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year

• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year

• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24

These are just a few diagnoses that fall under mental illness: Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorders, and Thought Disorders.

Recognizing signs of mental health disorders and getting treatment can lead to recovery. I was diagnosed with clinical depression as a teenager. There were signs years before I finally got treatment. I thought I was crazy because I did not know why I was so emotional and having suicidal thoughts.

There are so many children, teens, and young adults who have a mental condition not getting treatment due to stigma, lack of resources, lack of finances, and failure of adults to recognize the signs. Here is a staggering statistic from NAMI, Mental Health of America, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34. The number one cause of death is accidents. Just think of how many lives have been lost to suicide. Males and people in the LGBTQA community are 4–10 times more likely to attempt suicide and succeed.

Looking back upon my own childhood, I know that my doctor, teachers, and family did not know what signs to look for. Any changes in mood, appetite, behavior, sleep, and routine, including avoidance of people or places, are some

of the signs that a person may need mental health help. Any type of suicidal idealization, whether in thoughts or words, should be taken seriously. Talking about suicide will not make a person try to hurt themselves. In fact, many times talking about suicide can make a person realize that someone cares and that there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Phone numbers:

Girls & Boys Town National Hot-line: 1-800-448-3000 National Adolescent Suicide Helpline: 1-800-621-4000 National Alliance for Mental Health: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-273-TALK (8245)

Websites for more information and support: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention http://www.afsp.org Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance http://www.dbsalliance.org Families for Depression Awareness http://www.familyaware.org/

National Mental Health of America http://www.nmha.org/ Wing of Madness: Children and Depression http://www.wingofmadness.com/ The World Federation for Mental Health http://www.wfmh.org/ Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program http://www.yellowribbon.org/

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The Brain Center April Krowel, Ph.D., HSPP | The Brain Center (braincenteratgeist.com) scheduling@braincenteratgeist.com 317-748-0034

Mental Health Evaluations and Therapy: Continuum Mental Health and Wellness 2620 Kessler Blvd. East Drive, Suite 235 Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-762-8084

http://www.beaconindiana.com/ http://www.kresspsychology.com/ https://brainperformance-in.com/services/ https://www.bloompsychologyservices.com/

40 Special Needs Living • May 2021

KidsPsych 21444 Anthony Rd. Westfield, IN 46062 (317) 758-5125

Indiana Health Group Matthew Stach, M.S., LMHCA, NCC, EMDR

Pathways to Healing 1212 Westfield Rd., Noblesville, IN 46062 317.316.3081 www.pathwaystohealingcounseling.com

Life Solutions – location in Carmel as well as in Noblesville. Fishers Youth Counseling & Psychiatry Gabriel counseling Inlow counseling

All hospitals have mental health clinics for outpatient therapy and crisis intervention.

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