May is recognized as mental health awareness month. According to Mental Health America, Mental Health Week was introduced in 1949 and eventually became mental health awareness month. The goal is to help “educate Americans about mental illness and mental health”. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control, more than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. and about 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Kelly Herbig (RN) who works at Callaway District Hospital with the Senior Life Solutions Program visited with Central Nebraska’s News Source about ways individuals can be involved in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month.
“The one thing we can all do is just get involved socially and with your community. We have quite a few events going on for the community this month. Another thing is recognizing your own mental health and knowing what your own needs are and being self aware about how to take the best care of yourself. The other thing we like to educate on is understanding what the signs and symptoms are not only just for yourself but for your family and friends to recognize if they might be struggling. Another thing we think is really important is to tell your story. To share your journey with other people. In Senior Life we have group therapy and one of the things that is most beneficial to our patients is that when they come to group and they talk to other people they realize that they are not alone. A lot of their struggles are universal throughout humanity in general.”
The Senior Life Solutions Program will be hosting an open house from 1-3 p.m. on May 23rd to help inform the public of services offered through the program. Herbig shared some of the activities that are planned for the day.
“The 23rd we will be doing our open house. We usually do an open house every year. We usually have a theme. Our theme this year is “Where there’s cake there’s hope and there’s always cake.” So we will serve refreshments. The community has an opportunity to tour Senior Life and we can explain what our program can do and they can see what it is all about.”
If one would like more information, education, or would like to discuss support for yourself or a loved one you are encouraged to call 308-836-2153.
