Parkland experts say mental illnesses are common, treatable
Mental Health Awareness Month fights stigma, encourages healthy lifestyle
Nearly one in five adults in Texas experiences mental illness each year and more than 20 percent of Texas children ages 9-17 have a diagnosed mental illness. In Dallas County in 2016 there were nearly 427,000 behavior health visits by patients with mental health or substance abuse issues, according to the DFW Hospital Council Foundation. Mental health experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System say that many mental illnesses, like physical health problems, are common, treatable and even preventable.
Recognizing the link between mental and physical health is crucial to overall wellness, a message mental health professionals are emphasizing during May, National Mental Health Awareness Month. The advocacy group Mental Health America selected this year’s theme Fitness#4Mind4Body to focus on what individuals can do to improve their fitness by making small changes, physically and mentally, to improve overall health.
“Taking good care of your body is part of an evidence-based approach to mental health. We know that people living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic health conditions and that a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of many mental health problems like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health problems,” said Pedro Fernandez, MD, Medical Director of Consult-Liaison Psychiatry at Parkland and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“Much of what we do physically impacts us mentally, so it’s important to view mental health as a component of overall health and well-being. Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising and getting enough sleep can go a long way in improving your mental health as well as your physical fitness,” Dr. Fernandez said.
Research shows that people who are chronically stressed or depressed have a greater risk of physical illness. Exercise and good nutrition can have a significant impact on overall health and stress reduction by improving immunity, lowering blood pressure, preventing or aiding in management of diabetes and heart disease and boosting endorphins for improved mood and overall mental health.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), adults with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions. Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year, the organization reports. In addition, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24. More than 90 percent of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition.
In 2015 Parkland became the first health system in the nation to administer a universal suicide screening program to identify persons at risk and help save lives through early intervention. The program was designed to screen not only adults but also youth, ages 12 to 17, regardless of their reason for seeking care. Since initiating the program, more than 2 million suicide risk screenings have been completed. In March, Parkland expanded the screenings to include patients age 10 and older. Parkland expects to complete more than 11,000 screenings for children ages 10 to 12 annually.
“We recognize that we have the opportunity to identify children and young adults coming to Parkland for other health services who may also need mental health services. By asking a few questions of every patient, regardless of why they come in for medical care, we can determine if there are reasons for concern and take steps to help,” said Kimberly Roaten, PhD, Director of Quality for Safety, Education and Implementation, Department of Psychiatry at Parkland and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Diabetes and other chronic diseases can lead to serious depression in some patients, setting up a vicious cycle between mental and physical problems, said Luigi Meneghini, MD, MBA, Executive Director of the Global Diabetes Program at Parkland and Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “It’s known that when people are depressed, they might exercise less, make less healthy food choices and engage in less healthy behaviors which can lead to weight gain, increase the risk of developing chronic conditions or worsen control of existing ones. For people with diabetes, depression may make it more challenging to stick to a diabetes management plan which includes eating a healthy diet, exercising, monitoring blood glucose and taking medications. Effectively addressing depression can improve both mood and diabetes control.”
Mental illness should not be stigmatized, any more than a physical ailment, Dr. Fernandez emphasized. “There are many taboos and myths still surrounding mental illness, but through education we can erase the feelings of shame and fear that prevent many from seeking treatment. If you have a mental health condition, you’re not alone. As with other illnesses, mental illness is not your fault. With proper treatment, symptoms can be dramatically reduced and many people with mental health conditions can and do succeed in leading active, fulfilling lives.”
To learn more about mental illness, visit www.nami.org. To learn more about services at Parkland hospital, visit www.parklandhospital.com
Back