May 13 — May is Mental Health Month, and many organizations are reaching out to the public to raise awareness about mental health issues and how people can get the services they need.
Traditionally, Samaritan Center has been Davis County’s primary provider of mental health services. The reorganization now provides the same services under the name Davis County Family Health Center.
“We are taking time this month to talk more openly about mental health. We want to provide information to our community and inform our customers about mental health and how they can live a healthy mental health life. ,” said Cher Wehrman, a spokeswoman for the family. Davis County Health Center. “There are so many different diagnoses and components that make up mental health that people don’t realize. There are signs that people may be in crisis. We can discuss mental health more openly. We want it to help them get treatment sooner and lead a more normal life sooner. ”
Among the things the organization is doing this month is sharing additional information about mental health on social media. We will also be hosting our third annual Children’s Mental Health Fair at our Willows office later this month.
“Our children’s services are aimed at children under 18 and we have many providers who can help in different areas. Some work best with younger children, others with teenagers. There are some providers that are effective. We have a variety of programs that involve families,” Wehrman said. “We also have dedicated staff in schools in the four-county area who work closely with children, teachers and administrators on how to address what children are experiencing. I’m trying to help you learn.”
Davis County Family Health also works with Youth First, which has counselors in every school in the area.
It’s not just young people who receive special attention during Mental Health Month. Area 13 Agency on Aging’s Generations is working to improve the mental health of older adults by connecting them with others.
“I think what we see in the people we deal with is loneliness, which many of our clients experience because they may not see anyone for days on end. “We’re ramping up our efforts to address social isolation,” said Brenda Hancock, Generations Area 13 Office on Aging Community Resource Coordinator. “That sense of isolation has become even more pronounced during the pandemic, and while it’s not as bad now, we’re still trying to deal with it.”
Hancock said the agency offers a number of classes that offer dual benefits. For example, one class helps seniors find balance while having a few social hours each week. Another one provides socialization while working on chronic disease management, and the third provides socialization and exercise.
“These programs help bring people into the community and interact with each other. We also have activities we call ‘coffee and canvas’ led by professional artists. It’s free and helps people come together to draw and have fun. ” Hancock said. “We focus on keeping people in a positive state of mind by getting active in their communities and doing what they can to stay active with their loved ones. Volunteers make connections It’s a great way to
People who require mental health services are often in crisis and need immediate help. The health center organization has opened a helpline (833-664-3575) paid for by the grant to provide mental health crisis services.
“We’ve now set up a 24-hour crisis hotline that people in the community can call if they’re upset or worried or just want someone to talk to,” Wehrman said. “We have therapists, social workers and colleagues on our hotline. The staff on the line have been in emergency services for over 20 years.”
One of the biggest issues related to mental health is substance abuse. Officials say this is one area where further growth is expected.
“We’re certainly seeing an increase in care in our substance disorders field, and that’s a good thing because it means people with problems are seeking help,” Wehrman said. “Sometimes people self-medicate, whether it’s with too much alcohol, not taking their prescriptions correctly, or even illegal drugs. We understand how important recovery is to our clients’ health. We work closely with the recovery world.”
Although people are more open about mental health issues than ever before, there remains a stigma that authorities are trying to overcome.
“Sharing messages about mental health is no longer a taboo. It’s important to share a dialogue with people,” Wehrmann said. “It’s okay to not be okay. We all have bad days and they will pass. We should look out for our friends and family to make sure those bad days don’t happen again.”
