First of all let’s define what mental health is. Webster’s dictionary defines it as the general condition of one’s emotional and mental state. It also defines it as health care dealing with mental well-being and illness treatment. Did you know that in the United States alone there are anywhere from 54.6 to 59.3 million people that suffer from a mental illness? That is about 23.4 percent of our population. That is almost one in every five people. About 5.6% or one in 20 people suffer from a mental illness that is so significant that it substantially interferes with any sort of major life activity and day to day living. About one in seven youths ages 6 to 17 also suffer from a mental health illness.
The big three as I call it are anxiety disorders, major depressive disorders, and substance abuse. Each of these affects anywhere from 21 million to over 46 million adults. That is really a ton of suffering individuals.
But wait, it gets worse. Only just over half of these people even get any sort of mental health treatment or care. This means that the other 48 percent or so go without it. There is also a significant delay in care of up to 11 years at a time. Naturally this leads to disastrous results, quality of life, and consequences.
Then, I have to ask myself? What is getting in the way of care? Why is there such a stigma associated with it? I have to admit that I have fallen into this myself with my own mental health. I have had to take prozac for years to better my own mental health with my long history of trauma, abuse, multiple health issues, and anxiety. I too have resisted treatment from time to time, worrying about what anyone would think of me if they knew, implying that there was some level of craziness or weakness attached to it, which would mean that I had no business taking care of others.
I have to tell you, I had to let all that go. I had to let go of the stigma. I had to realize that I am clearly not alone in these struggles. I mean, just look at the statistics I started this little talk with. There are so many of us! This is very common and the lists of reasons and causes is too expansive to compose in a single list. For myself, when I am not compliant with my medication, I get a lot more oversensitive and angry and literally interpret every single input I receive to the most intense and personal level and I don’t process it normally. So, it makes no sense not to take it if my biggest fear is people realizing I need it, because…when I don’t take it is the times when my behavior on the outside would show that I need it! See? Saying it out loud forces me to reset and realize that me taking my medication on a regular basis not only makes me feel and process better, but it also eliminates the outward behaviors I was so pre worried about. Yep, this is the very same thing that I say to patients every single day. I need to follow the same advice for myself.
The bottom line is everyone. Please please reach out if you are having mental health issues. Please get help. You are only punishing yourself and saving no one else if you don’t.
I wish everyone all the best mental health. Please get help if you need it.
Dr. Katz