Garlow
MORGANTOWN – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Mon Health System health care providers have offered recommendations and words of encouragement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in five U.S. adults has a mental illness, and more than one in five young people ages 13 to 18 currently have or have had a serious mental illness at some point in their lives. Additionally, approximately one in 25 U.S. adults has a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
“Unfortunately, stigma often makes people hesitant to seek mental health services. Some feel they can fix it on their own. However, conditions like depression and anxiety are more common than people realize.” “It’s a very real problem,” said Dr. Richard Mullin, a psychiatrist and behavioral medicine specialist at Mon Health. “There are several good options for treatment, including therapy, medication, or a combination of both therapy and medication. Getting treated for mental health issues can improve people’s overall quality of life, because symptoms like depression and anxiety can negatively impact sleep, appetite, work or school performance, and relationships. We often hear from patients that they realize they’ve been suffering for longer than necessary and wish they had sought treatment sooner. The sooner you talk to your doctor, the sooner you can start on the journey to feeling better.”
Seeking help for mental health issues can be difficult at first, but taking the first step is essential to getting the care you need. At Mon Health, we encourage patients to talk with their health care providers about their physical and mental conditions.
“Life’s journey is a hard, dark, painful journey. You don’t have to go through it alone. We all have troubled emotions and thoughts sometimes. Get help for your emotions and thoughts. When dark thoughts become light, life becomes beautiful.” “It’s a very personal thing,” said Dr. Melissa Albert, a psychiatrist at Mon Health.
Mon Health has resources for people seeking answers and treatment for mental health issues. Mon Health’s mental health care providers treat a variety of patients and disorders, including anxiety disorders, ADHD, behavioral disorders, mood disorders, and trauma-related issues.
“Taking care of your mental health can improve your physical and emotional health, increase your resilience and help you find ways to cope with the stresses of life in healthy, positive ways. Mental Health Awareness Month helps normalize the symptoms we all experience, raise awareness of available services and highlight the importance of community and togetherness.” “It’s important to be aware of the risks and benefits of exercise,” says Jessica Garlow, a licensed clinical therapist at MonHealth. “MonHealth provides enhanced psychiatric and outpatient treatment services and collaborative care with patients as part of an individual’s treatment and wellness. MonHealth’s psychiatry department provides treatment services for a range of mental illnesses and symptoms, working together to provide recovery and a renewed sense of self.”
To learn more about the mental health care offered at Mon Health and to schedule an appointment, visit MonHealth.com
