We do check temperature or contact your PCP or even go to urgent care when you are sick. But when you hear the word "depression" or "anxiety," something shifts within many people. Inner dialogues would be like; "I can get through this" "I am embarrassed to admit that my mental health is not good." And people can suffer from mental health conditions that are just as bad as some of medical, physical illnesses, AND I want to say that some people become physically ill due to untreated mental health conditions and/or physical illness (i.e., diabetes, thyroid issues) can cause depressive episode. This is why I tend to inquire about client's last PCP visit during the intake appointment.
There are more consequential mental illnesses including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia (there's more) and if left untreated, these serious mental illnesses can lead to legal trouble (jail time), involuntary hospitalization, job loss, family conflict, serious financial consequences, drug use etc. If left untreated, severe depression can lead to death. Growing up in Japan, I cannot remember how many times I've heard about attempted suicides, completed suicides and the data reveals alarming rates of people needing mental health treatment in the United States, and I've lost countless people in my school as well as in my neighborhood to mental illness induced suicides. This is why I firmly believe that mental health services (psychiatric treatment) are just as important as physical illness treatment. Even within the mental health professions, people may not agree with me but I am unwilling to change my stance because of my experiences.
Mental health is a crucial part of our life and we can't really live a quality of life when our mental health is suffering. Again, just like physical illness, you don't want to wait till your activities of daily living is impacted (sleeping, eating, bathing etc) in order to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. Mental health screening is often integrated into annual physical health screening questionnaire. There are things that you can do to maintain or to not make your mental health conditions worse:
Nutrition-we are what we eat. Eat balanced meals.
Hydration-Water. This sustains us.
Routine, quality sleep.
Support system-Reach out to a friend. Isolation is a slippery slope.
Self-care activities-Pick one thing (healthy activity) that makes you happy. (coloring, puzzle, arts and crafts, gaming) and do that activity at least once a day. (not all day!)
Movement-exercise, if you are able to, vigorous exercise for 25 minutes a day 3 times a week.
Journal your thoughts and feelings. -This will help you slow down your thinking, become more self-aware of your feelings that lead to certain behaviors.
If you feel overwhelmed with feelings and need to talk to someone, text or call 988. It's suicide and crisis lifeline and a trained volunteer can text you or talk to you. They are connected to over 200 local crisis center in the United States and they are available 24 hours a day and it's free.
If you have already made a plan to end your life or have a plan, don't call or text this number. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
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