Here is a quiz for you. Name one illness as many as 1 in 5 Americans have but never discuss.  If you said mental illness, then you are right.  Your mind shapes how we see our world and interact with everything and everyone around us.  Like any other condition, our mental health can be good or bad; we can receive treatment or ignore the signs and symptoms. 

Here are some common signs of poor or impaired mental health. 

 

  • Generalized anxiety 
  • Eating disorders 
  • Being depressed after childbirth (post-partum depression) 
  • Suicidal thoughts 
  • Agoraphobia or feeling unsafe in crowds, or afraid of being out of one's home 
  • Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) 
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder  

 

A provider can treat mental health-related illnesses when detected timely. If you are employed, most employers offer a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) where staff may have virtual or telephone behavioral health consultations. If you feel the need for even more privacy, there are numerous counseling and behavioral health options online that you may find suitable for your needs. Also, as a primary healthcare provider, Osceola Community Health Service is a judgment-free zone that offers behavioral health services for all ages.   

 

There are many reasons why people ignore getting treatment for mental illness, and the main one is the feeling of shame. There is, however, nothing to be ashamed of, as no one chooses to have a heart problem, a stroke, diabetes, or mental illness. Whether the signs are emotional, mental, or behavioral, help is available, so get treatment.   

Mayo Clinic advises: 

  • Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame 
  • Don't isolate yourself 
  • Remember, you are not your illness 
  • Join a support group 
  • Get help at school 
  • Speak out against stigma 
  • You may also call the national mental health hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 

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