Medical Minute: Mental Health Awareness

These are stressful times.  Recent shootings, a global pandemic and a whole host of other things that can provide extreme stress and anxiety.  Each person is different, and handles these types of events in very different ways.  Experts say now is a good time to take a look at your own mental health and pay attention to the ones you care about.  

“It's important to check-in with yourself,” Megan Schabbing, MD, OhioHealth Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services said.  “Make sure you are feeling good.  Make sure you can function at work, be with the ones you care about.  When you struggle with mental health concerns, you can have a tough time connecting with others.”

The pandemic has shown to impact those who have mental health concerns, but there is a new group of people suffering from depression and anxiety.  That group is people who have never shown to have any diagnosed mental health disorders.

“You can develop problems later in life,” Dr. Schabbing said.  “We see people now without past mental health issues having problems at school, at work and at home.”

One thing experts say is happening though, all around the country,  an openness of discussing these critical issues of mental health.

“For so long people have been embarrassed or afraid to talk about mental health issues,” Dr. Schabbing said.  “Now people are coming forward saying I have anxiety, depression, I see a therapist, I take anti-depressant medication.  That helps people feel encouraged to say something themselves, and seek help.”

If you are struggling with your mental health,  click here to get more information from OhioHealth.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.