May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Photo By Laurie Pearson | May is Mental Health Awareness Month (Graphic courtesy)  

BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

05.11.2017

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Mental health is essential to the overall health and well-being of individuals and families and Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s Behavioral Health Section offers myriad programs and classes to provide support for those facing mental illness.
Mental illnesses are common. So common in fact, that it would take days to adequately discuss all of the essential areas such as the most common diagnoses outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) used to diagnose mental health issues, as well as warning signs, building resiliency and coping skills, types of interventions and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, explained James Maher, BH section head with the Marine and Family Programs Division on base.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this offers an opportunity to focus on a subject that can seem taboo to many. So, how common is common? Statistics published by Mental Health America reveal that one in five adults (more than 18 percent) have a mental health condition, which means that more than 40 million Americans are effected by mental illnesses of various types and of those more than 56 percent do not receive treatment. In youth alone, depression rates have increased to more than 11 percent and 80 percent of those receive no or insufficient treatment.
“Anxiety, depression, high levels of stress and adjustment disorders are the most common mental health issues,” said Carla Torres, New Parent Support Program manager. “I believe it has to do with the fast pace at which our society runs and the overwhelming demands life puts on us, whether it is about work, home, children or school and so forth.”
According to studies done by psychologists and reported by the American Psychological Association, multitasking, or doing more than one task at a time, especially if those tasks are complex, takes a toll on productivity. It can also take a toll on a person’s mental health.
“(A focus) should be on living a healthy lifestyle to include exercise, maintaining a positive outlook, prayer or meditation, developing calming methods, building relationships and social skills, feelings of competency and using good listening skills,” Maher said. “Being assertive as opposed to aggressive or passive is also important as is good self-care. All of us have times when we are depressed or anxious. That is common and normal. We all have losses in our lives, or face challenges that are anxiety producing.”
How a person handles those issues is what may cause or exacerbate mental health concerns. There are coping mechanisms, or conversely there are risky behaviors that may lead to additional problems with regard to one’s mental well-being. When the person becomes so depressed or anxious that they cannot perform their roles at work, home or in school, then it is labeled a disorder.
“The number one habit that will exacerbate any mental illness is the use of alcohol and drugs,” Torres said.
This could push individuals toward a crisis, such as a breakdown, whereas they are no longer able to function in their day to day life for a period of time, she said. It’s important to speak up early.
“People tend to stay in their minds and overthink,” she said. “(They) ruminate about an issue and make it bigger than it actually is. This is more pertinent when one has poor coping skills, doesn’t communicate well, doesn’t have much support or doesn’t trust anyone.”
She explained that if someone is already struggling, then they will continue to struggle until they let someone help by speaking to someone and getting a new perspective, new ideas and views other than your own which may already be distorted.
“The most common issues people tend to have are episodes of depression and anxiety,” Maher said.
Someone suffering from anxiety may feel constantly worried, have unreasonable fears, feel restlessness or keyed up, be easily fatigued, have difficulty concentrating be irritable and have sleep disturbances, said Torres. Whereas with depression, the person may have diminished interests, lose pleasure in activities, lose or gain weight, have fatigue, suffer from feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing, have a diminished ability to concentrate, have recurring thoughts of death, and for some recurrent thoughts of suicide. It’s important to recognize symptoms early.
“We can prevent a crisis by educating people on what the symptoms are, and encouraging people to get help once they begin to notice something is wrong and they are not themselves,” Torres said.
Mental Health America is promoting a “Before Stage 4 – Risky Business” campaign. It’s a risk assessment tool intended to help people understand consequences of potentially risky behaviors.
“The more you know about yourself, the better off you are,” she said. “You will be more aware of changes you might need to make for a healthier lifestyle.”
Risky behaviors include alcohol and drug abuse, internet addictions to include pornography, sexually risky behaviors, financial risks, and other compulsive behaviors. These can compound mental health illnesses.
“Just like a physical disorder, a mental disorder can many times be resolved favorably the earlier it is dealt with,” Maher said. “Studies have shown that most people receiving counseling do feel like there are improvements. There are lifestyle changes that can be made, as well, to help with a condition. We can offer people choices and support methods to help them recover, too.”
Some of the services offered here at MCLB Barstow include clinical services, peer supports, counseling, family support, therapy that may help manage thoughts and emotions, and classes. One such class being taught currently by Maher is a series on coping with work and family stress. These tools can help people feel connected to their families and their communities.
Behavioral Health can offer mental health evaluations, to help assess if a person is suffering from mental illness, then offer a variety of interventions and support. In addition, Mental Health America offers free screenings, to include a survey to help assess and understand risky behaviors. This can be found at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/whatstoofar.
For more information about the wide-ranging list of mental health disorders, or to get help with a mental illness, contact Behavioral Health at [phone].
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• Date Taken: 05.11.2017
• Date Posted: 05.17.2017 17:32
• Story ID: 234196
• Location: BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US