Mental Health Matters
May 30, 2003
Mental health matters – everyday! And it should matter to everyone. Mental health is an integral part of healthy living, greater productivity and better quality of life in Southeastern Colorado. May is Mental Health Month nationwide, and an excellent opportunity to stress the importance of good mental health.
Some may feel that mental health and mental illness are easy to ignore. But no one is immune from stress, emotional pain and mental illness, which can impact individuals at any age and at any economic level.
We need to be especially aware here in Southeastern Colorado, where our rural population faces unique obstacles in obtaining treatment for depression and other mental illnesses. These obstacles include a lack of awareness among patients and doctors of the signs of mental illnesses, difficulty in accessing care because of long-distance travel and financial hardships faced by those who do not have adequate insurance coverage.
Taken collectively, all mental disorders make mental illness the most prevalent health problem in America today. Mental illness is more common than cancer, lung and heart disease combined, yet it receives less attention and fewer resources.
For children, mental health is an essential element for full development and growth. Parents and caregivers need to be attuned to children’s mental health just as they are for vaccinations, check-ups and other health issues. Parents and caregivers who have children experiencing mental or emotional problems will need to seek help to understand and deal with their child’s disorder.
For America’s businesses and workers, mental health impacts the bottom line. Stress and depression were ranked as the second and third most important issues facing employees according to a survey by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association. Mental illnesses cost the economy billions of dollars every year.
Research has shown noticeable and causal links between mental disorders and illnesses. A recent study found that depression in men is a likely contributor to heart disease. In turn, stroke and heart disease may also lead to depression and other mental illnesses. Other reports show improved prognosis for cancer patients who receive treatment for depression and anxiety.
Access to qualified mental healthcare is a critical problem in rural areas such as Southeastern Colorado, but Southeast Mental Health Services is here to fill this gap. Southeast Mental Health Services serves six counties: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers. Our professional staff is skilled in the following services: 24-hour emergency services, crisis intervention, outpatient services, psychiatric services, and individual and family therapy.
Let’s begin to deal with mental health in a more open, comprehensive and shame-free way. To your health! Mental health matters--everyday.