988 nationwide promotion Mental Health Crisis Line, revealing two important realities. First, it has drawn welcome attention to the need for a “last line of defense” for people experiencing severe emotional distress and suicidal crises.suicide is a Top 10 leading causes of death for 10-64 year olds in 2020and using the 24-hour 988 hotline, the equivalent of 911 for mental health emergencies, can go a long way in reducing self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Second, it focuses on the U.S. still lacking a more proactive, coordinated approach to helping people get through the “upstream” of the crisis. The support system to prevent hypocritical mental health challenges from getting worse remains poor.
Given the inseparable connection between mind and body, untreated mental illness Depression or anxiety, for example, can lead to addiction and other physical health problems, which in turn can lead to a negative cycle of other behaviors that exacerbate mental health trauma.
In addition, school shootings, the Ukraine invasion, pandemic disruptions, Supreme Court decisions, inflation and other events have added to stress levels for millions of people.
Shockingly, we still lack the infrastructure needed to help people navigate their mental health journey.only 28% of the US population Live in a county with sufficient mental health practitioners. More practitioners will mitigate the risks associated with those with severe mental health challenges.Even during the initial rollout of the 988 hotline, some states problems experienced The challenges of staffing call centres and referring people to local caregivers.
Demand for mental health services through employers is increasing for employees struggling with stress and anxiety. Unsurprisingly, at least one survey of HR professionals found significant challenges faced by companies having to provide employees with the right mental health and wellbeing services.
Developing the mental health infrastructure needed to treat mental illness in a coordinated and preventive manner, reducing risk before reaching crisis points, will require a multi-stakeholder approach that includes these pillars.
- A “whole person care” approach involving the entire healthcare system. Hospitals, health systems and group practices still often take an isolated approach to primary care, treating patients for medical conditions and advising patients to help with diet and exercise. Several academic medical institutions have demonstrated success in developing integrative medicine clinics to experiment with holistic approaches to care, provide patients with health coaches or massage therapists, and improve coordination between traditional nursing practitioners and skilled nursing providers.
- Employers are making more use of so-called non-traditional benefits. about half of the US population, or about 158 million Americans, receive employer-sponsored health insurance. Employers can act as a “spearhead” for mental health prevention approaches. They can even expand their traditional benefits with holistic care services to relieve potential work stress, such as massage, yoga, dietary supplements and acupuncture. For employees who need more help, health and behavioral health coaching, group therapy, flexible work schedules, paid mental health days, meal planning assistance, and stress management and resilience training are just a few potential offerings focused on employee well-being. These approaches can help employees reduce stress, better manage chronic conditions, and support positive lifestyle changes.
- Continue to “de-stigmatize” mental health. While we as a society have made significant strides in creating safe, non-threatening ways for people to seek help, too many people do not seek treatment because they fear personal, family or social backlash. Together, as business leaders, healthcare professionals, public figures and individuals, we must continue to strengthen the message that we can speak openly about mental health and how people can get better through treatment.more public events such as Bell, let’s talk It will go a long way, as there is a greater recognition that physical and mental health is not only equal, but interconnected.
Unfortunately, no matter what precautions we take to treat their mental illness, many people need help through the 988 hotline and other emergency services, and elevating a mental health crisis to the equivalent of a 911-type emergency is a welcome step. .
However, healthcare organizations, employers, communities, advocates, and politicians must continue their efforts to develop a well-coordinated mental health infrastructure. We cannot ignore the fact that, with any disease, preventive care and early treatment lead to healthier, longer and more productive lives.
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