Copyright 1999 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.
St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
April 26, 1999, Monday, FIVE STAR LIFT
EDITION
SECTION: EVERYDAY MAGAZINE, Pg. E4
LENGTH: 550 words
HEADLINE:
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEED TO BE IN THE OPEN
BODY:
Dear Open Mind: A few months ago I had a basic physical examination
and everything came back OK, but I just don't feel like my normal self. I have
no energy, but yet I can't get a full night's sleep. I have no appetite and
rarely feel like eating a regular meal. My sister has suggested that I might
have depression and should get it checked out. The problem is that I'm afraid to
use my health benefits for fear of losing my job if my employer finds out. Are
there other alternatives? Absolutely, you do have other options, but isn't it
unfortunate that many still don't look at mental health as being an integral
part of our overall health and just as important as physical health. For
America's businesses and workers, mental health impacts the bottom line. Mental
health concerns affect companies, small and large, as they do individuals and
families. Employers cannot escape this fact. Both executives and blue-collar
workers experience family and personal problems that affect their health,
satisfaction and productivity. Mental health matters. And it should matter to
everyone. Mental health is a integral part of healthy living, greater
productivity and better quality of life.
Research and experience have
shown us that mental illnesses are treatable, often more treatable than common
physical ailments. Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is successfully treated
80 percent of the time, while balloon angioplasty (a common treatment for heart
disease) only has a 41 percent efficacy rate.
Yet, despite these
advances, mental illness continues to be treated differently from physical
illness, leading to more misunderstanding, greater discrimination and stigma,
increased reluctance to seek help, and disparity in insurance
coverage. It's time that we view our health
holistically, recognize the mind-body link, and care for mental
and physical health accordingly. You should never deny yourself treatment. Call
the Mental Health Association or your local community mental health center to
find out what other resources are available to you.
As co-chairpersons
of MHA's Public Education Committee we are happy to be a part of the 50th
anniversary of Mental Health Month. It gives us all a chance to bridge the gap
that has formed between mental health and overall health. This May, let's stop
speaking about mental health and mental illness in hushed tones. Let's begin an
open and frank discussion based on facts rather than old stereotypes and myths.
We encourage you to join us in our celebration. Throughout the month of
May special events will be held at various mental health agencies and hospitals.
We will kick off the month with a workshop co-sponsored by the Missouri
Institute of Mental Health titled "Mental Health: The Facets and Faces." This
one-day conference will address issues related to the stigma of mental illness
as well as present workshops on specific topics and new advances. It is designed
to be of interest to consumers, family members and all mental health and health
care professionals. For additional information contact the Mental Health
Association of Greater St. Louis at (314) 773-1399.
Regina
Trotter
Director of Business, Affairs Hopewell Center, Inc.
Diane B. Ludwig
Development Director, Independence
Center
LOAD-DATE: April 26, 1999
