Mental Health Key to Overall Wellness:
Awareness brings understanding
By Kylie Blanchard

Nearly half of all Americans, 46 percent, will suffer from a mental illness during their lifetime. While this statistic highlights the significant number of people affected by mental health problems, statistics also show only two in every five Americans suffering from mental illness will seek medical attention.

While many factors contribute to the causes of mental illness and barriers to treatment, awareness plays a key role in helping people understand symptoms and receive timely help.

“Some people are ashamed, others don’t recognize mental health problems are real, and some just don’t know where to receive treatment,” says Susan Helgeland, executive director of Mental Health America of North Dakota. “Sometimes people forget the brain is part of the body.”

Mental Health America of North Dakota, a non-profit organization in the state for 58 years, promotes mental health through education, advocacy, understanding and access to quality care for all individuals.

“We want mental illness to be treated in the same way as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease,” says Helgeland, a professional in mental health advocacy for 40 years. “Education is very important to us.”

Overcoming Mental Health Myths

Helgeland says it is important to break the stigma attached to mental illness and encourage people to seek help. “When it comes to mental health disorders and mood disorders that is when people say ‘it will just get better.’”

Depression is the second most common disease in the country behind heart disease, notes Helgeland, but when treated, depression shows higher improvement outcomes. Although awareness of mental health disorders has improved, she says, there are still many myths associated with mental illness.

Myth #1: If a person could just pull themselves together, they could get over their mental health problem. “People seem to feel since the problem lays primarily in behavior, they can just get over it,” says Helgeland. “They don’t treat it as a real illness and I think that is the biggest problem.” She says because of this, many with mental illness feel blame or guilt.

Myth #2: Those suffering from mental illness can’t work or function in life.
“Treatment is very effective,” says Helgeland, adding with diagnosis and treatment people can enjoy a full life, including employment.
Myth #3: When people talk about suicide, they are just seeking attention. “We know depression can be fatal,” says Helgeland. “All suicide threats should be taken seriously, because the alternative of not doing something is worse.” She stresses asking questions and getting immediate help at an emergency room or by calling 911.

Mental Health and Women
“One of the leading reasons women seek medical attention is depression,” says Helgeland. “All of the years I have been in this profession, that hasn’t changed.”

She notes there are significantly different rates of mental illness between men and women. Women have higher rates of anxiety disorders, 36 percent verses 25 percent in men; phobia disorders, 16 percent verses 9 percent in men; and major depression, 20 percent verses 13 percent of men. Women also have higher rates of panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorders.

Helgeland says many factors contribute to higher rates in women including hormones, birth control, child-birth, infertility issues, and thyroid conditions. “When a woman seeks help for depression, they need a physical exam to assess the whole body and get at the root of the problem.”

Symptoms of depression include:
• Depressed or irritable mood
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and worthlessness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Change in appetite/ weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty maintaining concentration
• Lack of energy or constant fatigue
• Recurrent suicidal thoughts

“Pay attention to your moods and behaviors, just like you would to the health of your body,” says Helgeland. If symptoms interfere with your life for two weeks straight, she says, it is time to seek help.

“The first step is talking openly and honestly about your feelings with someone you trust,” says Helgeland. Additional resources, including a depression screening test, are available on the Mental Health America of North Dakota website www.mhand.org.

“Be aware of your brain and what is happening with your behavior. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to get help,” says Helgeland. “You need a balance of mental health, along with spiritual and physical health to promote overall wellness.”

Mental Health America of North Dakota has offices in Bismarck and Fargo. For additional information contact Helgeland at 701-391-8824 or visit www.mhand.org.