Spreading Awareness During Mental Health Month
Among the week-long celebrations and special days, May is designated as Mental Health Awareness month. This year KSB is partnering with Sinnissippi Centers to advance the #endthestigma campaign.
Sobering Statistics:
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 of every 5 adults, or nearly 58 million people (22.8%) experienced mental illness in 2021. One of every 6 adolescents aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode in 2020 and 7.6% of US adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2021. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 14 and 3rd among 15- to 24-year-olds (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024).
What does this mean for us here in Dixon, Illinois at KSB Hospital? There are people, friends, family, and colleagues who have suffered, are suffering or will suffer mental illness.
What can we do?
- We can acknowledge and understand that the brain is an organ just as our lungs and pancreas are, and that they can become affected by disease or illness. Unlike the lungs and the pancreas, impaired brain health is not displayed with a cough or an elevated blood sugar. Impaired brain health is exhibited by symptoms related to the function of the brain such as altered mood, thoughts, and behaviors. Like diseases of other organs, help is available for mental illness through medications, education, and treatments.
- We can know our local resources. Places to start are:
- Primary care providers – KSB primary care providers are equipped to offer referrals for patients who are experiencing mental health challenges. They can help you get connected to a counselor as well as a psychiatric prescriber.
- Sinnissippi Centers – Sinnissippi offers crisis care through their hotline at 1(800)242-7642. They also offer individual and group therapy along with medication services and much more. They also have the Living Room located in Commerce Towers, which allows for drop in visits any time you may want to connect with a counselor, participate in a group, or just have some quiet time to process. You can find out more on their website: sinnissippi.org
- KSB Behavioral Health – KSB offers individual and group therapy along with medication services in their clinic located on the second floor of the hospital. Referral packets can be picked up at the clinic office or by calling (815)285-5638.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – This lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress. They also offer prevention and crisis resources for those struggling with mental illness and those who love them.
- NAMI Sauk Area – The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a local chapter which offers various support group meetings. They also offer a wide variety of resources for family and friends of those struggling with mental illness. Find out more at: namisaukarea.org
- SAMHSA – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has great resources for mental health and substance abuse. They offer a 24/7 helpline for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1(800)622-HELP (4357) They also offer resources and support on their website: samhsa.gov
- We can understand that stigma can be a barrier to seeking and obtaining the help that people deserve. We can share our attitudes and perspectives to #endthetigma so that people do not suffer needlessly.
