Mental Health: Let's Talk About It!

Mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses are more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, migraines, osteoporosis and asthma, yet misconception and misinformation have left many people with mental illness and substance use disorders afraid to talk about their experiences or to seek help.
Source: stampoutstigma.com

Hopewell Health Centers considers reducing stigma that can make seeking help difficult a priority. Through grant funding Hopewell Health Centers partnered with Athens Photographic Project to create positive and original artwork and messaging that encourage our communities to understand and talk about mental health. Together we can reduce the stigma, reduce the time it takes for people to seek treatment and reduce the lifelong impact untreated mental health conditions may hold.

The Message

Mental health and addiction continue to be misunderstood and rarely spoken of in America. However, in a given year research shows that mental health issues will personally impact one in four people in the U.S. – approximately 25 percent of us. More than 22 million people have a substance use disorder.
Source: stampoutstigma.com

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders – just like many physical health disorders – are treatable health issues. Stigma linked to mental health and addiction often keeps people from seeking the help they need – yet for those who do, recovery is possible. We need to spread the message, you are not alone, you can recover and there is hope.

What is Stigma and why is important to reduce its influence on mental health? Stigma is when an individual is viewed in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. This external, or sometimes internal, stigma can lead individuals to delay or even deny seeking life changing help. Early detection and early treatment has been shown to reduce the lifelong impact of mental health. We need to reduce stigma by talking about mental health and deliberately avoiding stigmatizing language.

The Facts

Reported by NAMI and stampoutstigma.com

• People experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.
• An estimated 26 percent of adults have a diagnosable mental illness in a given year; about 21 percent of children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental or addictive illness.
• One in two of us will have a mental health issue during our lifetime.
• Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States.
• Less than one-third of adults with a mental health issue will get help.
• The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans.
• Up to 90 percent of those who get help are able to significantly reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Why We Need To Talk

Just like any other illness, there are things a person can do to make life better and manage the symptoms. Recovery is possible. We need to know the signs and take action so that mental health conditions can be caught early and treated. We need to avoid stigmatizing language and behaviors. We need to say something. There’s strength in talking about it.

Stigma Reduction Websites

• https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree
• https://www.makeitok.org
• https://www.stampoutstigma.com

Local Organizations

Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (317 Board) (https://www.317board.org): The Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (317 Board) plans, funds, and evaluates a community-based system of care for individuals in need of behavioral health or substance use disorder recovery services.

NAMI Athens (https://www.namiathensohio.org): NAMI of Athens County is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. Together, we advocate for better lives for those individuals who have a mental illness, and we offer support, education and advocacy as we do so.

The Gathering Place (https://www.thegpathens.org): The Gathering Place is a member operated peer recovery organization that serves adults with a lived experience of a mental health issue or a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. Staff and members work together to provide peer support, linkage services, advocacy, mental health education, recreational and wellness activities, access to healthy food, and community integration opportunities, all in a welcoming home-like environment.

Athens Photographic Project (https://www.athensphotoproject.org): Founded in 2000, the Athens Photographic Project (APP) is a non-profit organization in Southeast Ohio that strengthens mental health recovery by providing individuals with the opportunity to engage in self-discovery, creative expression and community contribution through the arts.

Natural Freedom and Wellness Center (http://www.naturalfreedomohio.com): A growing body of research suggest a wide range of benefits to both physical and mental health from increased connection with nature. We provide nature-based and equine assisted learning through skill building services that use the restorative qualities of the natural world and the emerging field of equine assisted activities to promote a sense of improved well-being.

My Sister’s Place (https://www.mspathens.org): My Sister's Place is a domestic violence agency in Athens, Ohio serving Athens, Hocking, and Vinton Counties, providing 24/7 hotline, outreach counseling, and an emergency shelter.

Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program (https://www.saopseoh.org): SAOP empowers the community and all survivors of sexual violence to live free of sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking.

Integrated Services for Behavioral Health (https://www.integratedservice.org): Integrated Service for Behavioral Health is a community-minded, forward-thinking behavioral health organization helping people along the road to health and well-being. We meet people in their homes and communities and help connect them to the resources they need on the path to well-being.

Treatment Alternative to Street Crime (TASC) (https://www.tascofsoutheastohio.org): TASC is certified to provide both outpatient and intensive outpatient alcohol and other drug (AOD) levels of care. We utilize the most current and effective evidence based treatment modalities available to AOD treatment providers today.

Health Recovery Services (https://www.hrs.org): The total continuum of community based behavioral healthcare provided by Health Recovery Services (HRS) for over 45 years is aligned with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of care. This patient-centered criteria sets the acknowledged standard for quality behavioral healthcare that promotes good stewardship of resources while striving to improve consumer outcomes.

Other Resources

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator (https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov): Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, use the locator to find alcohol and drug abuse treatment or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country.

Faces & Voices of Recovery (https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org): This organization believes that our nation’s response to the crisis of addiction should be based on sound public health science and the grassroots engagement and involvement of the recovery community – people in recovery, their families, friends and allies – organized in identifiable and mobilized networks of recovery community and allied organizations that foster collaboration, advocacy and public education about the reality of addiction recovery.

Mental Health America (https://www.mhanational.org): Visit the “Finding Help” page for information on mental health conditions and links to resources in your area.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://www.nami.org): NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.

Psych Hub (https://www.psychhub.com): an online platform that offers evidence-based information about mental health, substance use and suicide prevention including a collection of free educational videos for consumers, family members and providers.

Shatterproof (https://www.shatterproof.org): A national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the devastation addiction causes families by changing the conversation about this disease and reducing the stigma and secrecy associated with it.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org): If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to access support via a chat function.

National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov): The mission of the NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery and cure.

Center for Disease Control Mental Health (https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth): Includes basic public health information on mental health, aims to foster collaboration and advancement in the field of mental health in support of CDC’s public health mission.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (https://www.drugabuse.gov): NIDA’s mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov): SAMHSA was established in 1992 and directed by Congress to target substance abuse and mental health services to the people most in need and to translate research in these areas more effectively and rapidly into the general health care system.

Stamp out Stigma (https://www.stampoutstigma.com): Stamp Out Stigma is an initiative spearheaded by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. This campaign challenges each of us to transform the dialogue on mental health and addiction from a whisper to a conversation.