The need for effective and accessible mental health services has grown substantially nationwide. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 51.5 million or 1 in 5 U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2019. But while the need for sufficient mental health treatment exists for individuals of all ages, many are unable to receive the care necessary to properly treat and manage their symptoms.
Read MoreIn today’s society, the word anxiety is often used to express a multitude of emotions and reactions related to stress, fear, and/or worry. Whether voicing first-date jitters to a friend, ruminating over the outcome of a job interview, or while sitting in back-to-back traffic for hours on end, ‘having anxiety’ is used formally, and informally, to depict how one feels about a given situation.
Read MoreOur hearts grow weary and our minds speed up as we desperately search for an answer to end Colorado’s suicide crisis. In looking for that answer—the one that will save lives and improve the social determinants of health within our cities—we consider various risk-factors that gravely affect the well-being of the people who live here: limited mental health services, high rates of illicit drug use and substance use disorders, exposure to violent crime and/or abuse, access to weapons and/or firearms, and even a low percentage of high school graduates. Yes, further examination of and increased efforts put forth on account of the above risk-factors are critical for suicide prevention, but also, for addressing the mental health stigma that still exists today.
Read MoreWelcome to Morning in Mental Health. What better place to open up a dialogue about the pandemic than right here, with all of you. For a while now—well, approaching two years to be more accurate—we’ve kept our heads up through the storm and tried our very best to find the ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ holding on to an inkling of hope that it actually exists. Because although we’ve made tremendous strides towards leaving this pandemic in the dust, as we celebrate over 188 million Americans vaccinated, we’re still here—still fighting, still losing loved ones, and still living in what seems to be an alternate reality worlds away from the life we once knew.
Read MoreAlthough a difficult and quite often heart-wrenching topic to discuss, teen suicide continues to be a prevalent issue in today’s society with rates steadily increasing throughout many parts of the United States. In 2019, PBS quoted a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association that found: “The rate of U.S. adolescents and young adults dying of suicide has reached its highest level in nearly two decades” (Frazee & Morales, 2019). For this reason, it’s obligatory we spread awareness about teen suicide while increasing preventative measures to save lives. Whether you’re a teen that is experiencing suicidal thoughts and not sure where to turn; a parent of a teen who is displaying worrisome behaviors or showing warning signs of suicide; or if you know of someone in your life who is currently struggling with their mental health: there is hope.
Read MoreColorado: a place of beauty, adventure, serenity, and family. Whether looking to book your next fun-filled family vacation near the picturesque Rocky Mountains or in need of a peaceful place to re-center—surrounded by the many breathtaking lakes and reservoirs—it’s safe to say Colorado has you covered. The beauty that exists throughout the stunning Centennial State cannot be overlooked, or in any way debated; still, there’s a darkness that lingers over colorful Colorado: a darkness that needs to be brought to light on a state-level, as well as a national one. We’re talking about teen suicide.
Read MoreSo, how do we change the narrative? How do we change the direction and delivery of mental health services in the U.S.? First, we change ourselves. It starts with us. In order to change the mental health laws in place today we need approval from Congress and the President, right? Knowing this information, when does legislation typically amend? When there is public demand for it. When there is persistent public outcry and attention from the media. We know this. We’ve seen it before. If we the people continue to keep our heads down and never question the disproportionate policies which exist for the mental health population, then there will be no urgency called upon changing them.
Read MoreWhile examining Reagan’s memorable one-minute commercial known as “Morning in America,” many thoughts came to mind. Between the seemingly perfect harmonious transitions and slideshow of delicate feel-good images which speak of an honest “day in the life” of an American, it’s easy to see how Reagan pulled on the heartstrings of many—of most, really. Turning the page from a period of financial hardship and struggle over to a “Prouder, Stronger, Better” America was a display of hope and opportunity that many were searching for and thus eager to believe in (Beschloss, 2016). Unfortunately, this push for greatness focused on prioritizing certain groups and marginalizing others.
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