October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. The goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate people about depression and mental health issues, and encourage screening.
Why is There an Entire Month Dedicated to Depression and Mental Health Screening?
Millions of Americans are impacted by mental illnesses. In fact, roughly 32% of people struggle with anxiety or depression symptoms in the US[1]. And young adults are at an even greater risk with almost 50% having reported symptoms of anxiety or depression1. More and more, people are recognizing the importance of awareness around mental health. One study found that 90% of the public thinks there is a mental health crisis in the U.S. today[2]. Even insurance companies are becoming more aware of the problem and many now provide incentives for those who regularly assess and care for mental health needs as a preventive measure.
Awareness of mental health is essential for everyone, not just those who struggle with mental illness. It helps remove the stigma and allows for more open conversations. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and how to help someone could save a life.
Related: Mental Health Awareness and the Unseen Pain
What are Mental Issues and Mental Health?
Mental illnesses — including depression — are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and/or behavior and can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities[3]. Mental health issues can affect all areas of a person’s health and wellness, impacting all functioning areas.
Mental health involves effective functioning in daily activities that allow people to be productive, have healthy relationships, adapt to change, and deal with adversity2. Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communicating, learning, resilience, and self-esteem. Mental health is a component of overall well-being and can influence and be influenced by physical health2.
Impacts of Poor Mental Health and Mental Illnesses
Poor mental health can negatively impact our day-to-day lives, from maintaining relationships to keeping a job. It can also impact our health. Research has shown that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes and on the flipside, poor mental health can lead to bad physical health or harmful behaviors[4]. For example, depression has been linked to many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis4. Severe disorders like Schizophrenia have been linked to a higher risk of heart and respiratory diseases[5].
Heart Disease and the Mental Health Connection
Several risk factors can increase your risk for heart disease — high blood pressure, increased and sustained heart rate, and calcium build-up — all of which can impact mental health. When you're in a state of stress, the body releases the hormone cortisol, which causes a spike in blood pressure and heart rate. Over time, elevated stress levels, chronic depression, anxiety, or PTSD may increase your risk of developing heart disease. This prolonged release of cortisol also affects your brain and can lead to the death of brain cells that harm your memory.
Mental Health and Gut Health
If you’re one of the nearly 40% of Americans affected by gastrointestinal issues (GI), you should understand that your mental health plays a significant role in your gut health. There is a strong brain-gut connection, and the gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, stress, and excitement can trigger symptoms in the gut. According to UChicago Medicine “When we’re stressed, hormones, and neurotransmitters are released in the body. This can negatively impact gut motility, or the way our intestines and stomach squeeze and move waste through the body. Also, stress can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, causing GI discomfort.” Chronic depression and anxiety can change the digestive tract's physiology, affecting how it functions and leading to pain, acid reflux, IBS, and ulcers.
Mental Health and Chronic Illness
Mental health conditions can make dealing with a chronic illness more difficult. One example is the mortality rate from cancer and heart disease, which is higher among people with depression or other mental health conditions. Around 50%-80% of people with mental health conditions will also have sleeping problems, while only 10%-18% of the general population experience sleeping problems. As many of us have experienced, sleep difficulties can worsen physical and mental health conditions[6]. A lack of sleep often intensifies symptoms related to stress, anxiety, and depression, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Eventually, this can contribute to developing sleep disorders, including insomnia or sleep apnea.
Health Care and Mental Health Conditions
People with mental health conditions are less likely to have access to or seek out adequate health care. For example, those with significant depression often lack the motivation or energy to schedule or attend doctor visits. At the same time, people who struggle with anxiety may be too nervous to call or attend an appointment. In some cases, anxiety over what might be wrong prevents people from going to the doctor because they are afraid to know. Skipping routine doctor visits and screenings could set you up for health issues. Routine exams are critical in detecting health issues early on when they’re most likely to be treatable.
Tips to Improve Your Mental Health
Awareness is always the first step to solving any problem. Now, let's look at solutions. Finding the time to prioritize mental health can be challenging in daily life, but you don't have to do it alone. Lake Point offers several behavioral health resources to ensure everyone has the tools, support, and care they need to thrive. Since much of our mental health is impacted by our physical wellness, it’s important to take care of ourselves:
- Get regular exercise. Exercising daily or at least three times per week can improve mood, energy levels, and overall health.
- Eat a healthy diet. A balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables, and low in processed sugars or fats can make you feel better physically and mentally. Fatty and processed foods can negatively affect your mood as well.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Although drinking and smoking may make you feel better in the short term, they can harm both your physical and mental health.
- Get enough sleep. A good night's sleep is approximately 6 to 8 hours for adults.
- Try relaxation techniques when you feel stressed. Meditation, deep breathing, engaging in hobbies, and focusing on positive aspects of your life that are within your control can all help to reduce stress levels.
- Maintain a balanced lifestyle. Excessive work, always giving to others, and even too much alone time on the couch can all increase anxiety and depression.
- Do not isolate. Loneliness has been shown to increase depression and addiction issues. Stay connected to friends and loved ones. We are social creatures. We are made to connect and grow together.
If you’re concerned about your mental health or are suffering from mental health conditions, help is a phone call away. We’re here for you — 1-833-4HANDUP.
Tim Hughes
LPE-1
[1] https://www.kff.org/mental-health/press-release/latest-federal-data-show-that-young-people-are-more-likely-than-older-adults-to-be-experiencing-symptoms-of-anxiety-or-depression/
[2] https://www.kff.org/report-section/kff-cnn-mental-health-in-america-survey-findings/
[3] https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness
[4] https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-health
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3919370/
[6] https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health
