For immediate information about mental health services in Vermont;
Mental Health Care in Vermont
I don't want to talk about it...
Why don't they just get over it and pull themselves together...
They're just kids- that doesn't happen to kids...
Those phrases are never shared with anyone afflicted with Asthma or Diabetes...or Cancer.
Yet, these are commonly heard regarding those suffering from any mental health problem. From episodic emotional health concerns and drub/alcholol abuse to schizophrenia and deep depression that can be fatal- and so much in between,we are still struggling as a culture with how to address, and provide care for this health concern.
For example...
Depression is a serious biologic disease that affects millions of people each year. The encouraging news is that it may be successfully treated. Learn how you can manage your depression by reaching out to others such as a health care professional or family and friends.
Understanding depression may be beyond most of us but accepting the reality of it is within all our reach. Although no single cause of depression has been identified, it appears that interaction among genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychosocial factors may play a role. The fact is, depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away, but it can be successfully treated.
An estimated 33 to 35 million U.S. adults are likely to experience depression at some point during their lifetime. The disease affects men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels. However, women are at a significantly greater risk than men to develop major depression. Studies show that episodes of depression occur twice as frequently in women as in men.
(Although in his book, "I Don't Want to Talk ABout It-Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression, Terry Real presents a fresher look at this topic)
Vermont has been a leader in health care reform and mental health care. Much more work is ahead of us though and a first step for all of us may be seeing mental health servcies as integal to the overall health care landscape.