SIKESTON - While medications and treatment for mental illness are getting better and better, getting people to seek treatment is as difficult as ever.
"Mental illness is a very treatable disease and there can be very successful outcomes even for the most severe of mental illnesses," said Ron Steinmetz, executive director for Bootheel Counseling Services. At the extreme, those suffering from these illnesses may consider suicide or even make a suicide attempt. "It's a shame they feel they had to try and deal with it themselves alone without trying to get help."
May marks the 53rd anniversary of National Mental Health Month, a time used to focus efforts on educating the public on the importance of mental health and treatment options.
"It's sponsored by the National Mental Health Association. The theme for this year is, 'Mental Health Matters in Your Life,'" said Rebekah Halter, community education manager for Missouri Delta Medical Center's Senior Lifestyles behavioral health unit. "If you are suffering from a mental illness, it will impact your whole life."
According to the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year. Of these, fewer than 8 million seek treatment.
The stigma of "seeing a shrink" or being on medication because of a mental health issue is one reason many avoid seeking treatment. "Many people also see it as a personal weakness instead of an illness," Halter said.
Researchers, however, believe the more serious mental illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain which modern medicines attempt to balance. Steinmetz said while even experts don't fully understand how, one thing has been determined: "Staying on the medication is helpful."
Medication is not always the answer, "but for the severe mental illnesses it is part of the answer," he asserted.
"Counseling sometimes helps people see a different way of viewing life," Steinmetz said. Some illnesses, such as depression, are eased tremendously, by building self-esteem and improving self-image.
"Depression is the most common mental illness," said Halter. "It affects about one in five adults at some time in their lives and less than half of these will seek treatment."
Clinical depression affects men and women, children and adults, rich and poor.
"Depression is known as the 'common cold' of mental illnesses because of how common it is," Steinmetz said.
Symptoms of clinical depression include crying spells, overeating or not eating, not sleeping or sleeping too much, and thoughts of suicide among others.
One of the most obvious symptoms is exactly what one would expect: "A sad or blank look on the face is one of the hallmarks," Halter said.
She added that 80 to 90 percent of those treated for depression get better quickly.
"Anxiety is right there as the second largest problem," said Steinmetz. "A lot of those people can be helped with or without medication."
A mental illness that has received a lot of attention recently is bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depression.
This disorder, which affects more than 2.5 million Americans, can be very difficult for both the person suffering from the illness and their family, Halter said.
"Because of the stigma associated with bipolar, many people do not seek treatment," said Halter. "With treatment, they can live normal lives."
"Those highs and lows can be leveled out and they can work and interact with their family," Steinmetz said.
Untreated, those with this disorder run a high risk for the most critical issue mental health professionals deal with - suicide.
When someone thinks a friend or family member is contemplating suicide, "they need to ask them," Halter said. "Some people are afraid to ask because they think they might give them the idea."
Asking will not make someone become suicidal, she said, but if the person really was considering suicide, asking does open lines of communication so help can be arranged.
"Older adults are at the greatest risks for suicide," Halter added, with older, white males living at home alone being the group with the very highest risk.
Bootheel Counseling Services' crisis line, which is available around the clock, seven days per week, gets about 300 calls per month, according to Steinmetz.
He advised anyone who feels they may be at risk to keep the number handy. "If they feel like they can't go on anymore it is someone to call," Steinmetz said.
The number for Bootheel Counseling Services' crisis line is 1-800-356-5395.