Majority of Respondents See Social Connections as Strong Source of Emotional Support During Stressful Times

A new survey by Mental Health America shows that while many Americans are routinely overwhelmed by stress, most view their relationships with family, friends and others as important sources of emotional support and stress-relief, which can have positive effects on their mental and overall health. The survey is released at the outset of 2008 May is Mental Health Month, an observance Mental Health America founded 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental health for all. This year’s theme, “Get Connected,” is focused on the important role social connectedness plays in maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness. Research shows that social connectedness can reduce stress and promote overall health by providing a sense of belonging, self-worth and security.

“Individuals who feel valued and cared for are better equipped to deal with stress and adversity and even experience less severe illnesses than those with little social support,” said Paddy Kutz, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Licking County. “The results of this survey are overwhelmingly positive because they show that most Americans do, in fact, have supportive relationships and that they recognize the vital role these relationships play in protecting them from depression and other illnesses.”

Of those surveyed, over one-third (40%) are concerned about their current stress levels and about one-third (34%) characterize themselves as “routinely overwhelmed by stress.” This is especially true for African Americans (45%) and women (39%). Despite high stress levels, the vast majority (97%) of respondents have people in their lives they trust and can turn to when in need of support. Over one-third (43%) have as many as five people; over half (53%) have more than 5; and only three percent of respondents report having none. Those with relationships turn most often to family members and significant others for emotional support during stressful times. Men (40%) are more likely to turn to significant others, while women (55%) are more likely to turn to family members.

Relationship Characteristics
The survey asked participants to respond to specific statements about their relationships. The majority:

• Have close relationships that help them cope with stress (91%)
• Feel a strong emotional tie with at least one other person (93%)
• Have someone to talk to about decisions in their life (95%)
• Say there are several people they can talk to when they feel lonely (93%)
• Say there are people they know will help them if they really need it (96%)
• Have people who appreciate them for who they are (96%)

Health Benefits of Relationships
The survey also asked participants to respond to statements about the effects of their relationships and found that most are aware of the benefits social relationships may have on mental and overall health. Nearly all respondents believe that having close relationships helps people relieve stress (94%) and helps protect them from developing depression and other mental health conditions (93%). Slightly less (86%) believe that not having close relationships can put them at risk for illness.

2008 May is Mental Health Month
This May, Mental Health America of Licking County challenges each American to the Mental Health Connection Challenge to build his or her social support networks by making FIVE positive and life-fulfilling connections. To help them meet this goal, Mental Health America of Licking County is highlighting the many ways of creating connections that support mental health, including being engaged with family, friends and other members of an individual's social support network; one's community; and a healthcare professional, when needed. For more information on Mental Health Month, including tips for how to “Get Connected,” visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may or contact Mental Health America of Licking County at 740-522-1341 and mhalc@alink.com.

2008 May is Mental Health materials are made possible through an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

About the Survey
“Social Connectedness and Health” was conducted by International Communications Research, an independent research company. Interviews were conducted via telephone from April 2 – April 7, 2008 among a nationally representative sample of 1,016 respondents 18 years of age or older. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.07%. To access the executive summary, visit: www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/surveys.

Mental Health America of Licking County, an affiliate of Mental Health America, is a partner agency of the United Way, the Community Mental Health & Recovery Board and NAMI.

Free Parent-Child Workshops Come to 6 Locations in Licking County

Parents are always on alert for potential threats to their children and yet so many are taken by surprise when they learn that those children have been experimenting with drugs, alcohol and other at-risk behaviors. Waiting until the children are teenagers before confronting these issues is often too late. Research has shown that starting with the children when they are small can reduce the risk that they will make bad choices as they grow. Mental Health America of Licking County is presenting a free program to help families confront this issue.

“What Successful Kids Have That Others Don’t” is a workshop to be offered in six locations around Licking County that will teach parents and children how to reduce the young person’s risk for addiction, criminal behavior, inappropriate sexual activity, and dropping out of school. Led by Judith Allee, Parent Support Coordinator for Mental Health America, the program focuses on small but important steps that help parents develop a better relationship with their children. In addition, teens and younger children will develop responsibility and resilience.

To make it easier for families to participate, a meal is provided and childcare for pre-schoolers will be available at most of the locations and meeting times. Parents can attend without their children, but children cannot attend without an adult. The workshop is also open to grandparents, childcare providers, teachers, members of churches and service clubs, and others concerned about the future of the youth of the community.

Program content is geared to the child’s grade level with specific activities for teens and their parents. It is based on national research that was conducted by the Search Institute in 1997 and which included three Licking County school systems. More information on this approach to preventing risky behavior in youth is available at http://www.search-institute.org/.

Advance registration is required. Sessions may be cancelled if fewer than 5 people register. Those interested in attending can call Ms. Allee at 740-522-2277, or e-mail her at judithallee@mhalc.org.

Sessions will be offered in

• Newark at Mental Health America, 65 Messimer Dr.
  Mon., June 2
  9 – 11 am (all ages)
  6 – 8 pm (all ages)


• Pataskala at Pataskala Nazarene Church, 8100 Hazelton-Etna Rd. (Rt. 310)
  Tues., June 3
  9 – 11 am (all ages)
  6 – 8 pm (all ages)


• Johnstown at Johnstown Presbyterian Church, 81 S. Main St.
  Fri., June 6
  9 – 11 am (all ages)
  6 – 8 pm (all ages)


• Utica at Ye Olde Mill, 11324 St. Rt. 13 (just south of Utica)
  A Velvet ice cream cone is included for all participants
  Wed., June 11
  9 – 11 am (adults only)
  6 – 8 pm (all ages)


• Hebron at Hebron United Methodist Church, 502 E. Main St. (Rt. 40)
  Mon., June 16
  9 – 11 am (all ages)
  6 – 8 pm (all ages)

Mental Health America of Licking County provides programs for parents throughout the county and welcomes opportunities to work with churches, schools and other organizations. Information about other workshops and events is available at their website, http://www.mhalc.org/.

Mental Health America of Licking County, an affiliate of Mental Health America, is a partner agency of the United Way, the Community Mental Health & Recovery Board and NAMI. Partial funding for the programs comes from the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund via the local Children and Families First Council.

May is Mental Health Month – Get Connected!

Since 1981 I have been promoting good mental health. Have you been listening and taking action to promote your own well being? During the month of May we focus especially on mental health because it is national mental health month, but, of course, these lessons are good all year long.

I encourage all citizens of Licking County to build your social support networks throughout May to improve upon how you deal with the stress of living in a 24/7 on-the-go society. Take the Mental Health Connection Challenge by making five positive and life-fulfilling connections this month. Research shows that social networks can reduce stress and promote overall health by providing a sense of belonging, self-worth and security.

“We all need to maintain positive connections to feel a part of our communities and families, which is why this May, Mental Health America is challenging everyone to connect with family & friends, coworkers, community members and professional help, if needed,” said Barbara Gilkes, President of the MHALC Board of Trustees. “Years of research have shown that individuals who feel valued and cared for are better equipped to deal with stress and adversity and even experience less severe illnesses than those with little social support”, Gilkes said.

Here is your challenge:

. Connect to Family & Friends – Loved ones are an important source of support and encouragement. Talk to them when you need extra help, allow them to provide guidance and be prepared to help them when they need you.

. Connect to Coworkers – Given the amount of time we dedicate to work, healthy relationships with coworkers are a must. Spend a lunch hour with officemates or reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while to take a walk or grab a cup of coffee.

. Connect to Community Members – Shifting from your own issues to the needs of others can be a healthy change of pace. Select a faith-based organization, school, long-term care facility or non-profit group that needs your help and pitch in. We use many volunteers and would welcome your assistance. Call us at 522-1341.

. Connect to Yourself – Taking time for yourself can decrease stress and improve health and relationships. Try meditating, exercising, enjoying a hobby, read a book, eat right, sleep eight hours and for sure have fun. Whatever you choose, it’s your time, so spend it doing something you enjoy.

. Connect to Professional Help – If you are feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, reach out to a mental health professional. For a referral, call Mental Health America at 740-522-1341 or 211.

Mental Health America founded May is Mental Health Month 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental health for all. This year’s theme, “Get Connected” is focused on the important role social connectedness plays in maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness.

An affiliate of Mental Health America, we are a partner agency of Licking County United Way, Community Mental Health & Recovery Board of Licking/Knox Cos. and NAMI.

Paddy Kutz

Executive Director

Mental Health America of Licking County

Iron Woman

For the next few days it's going to be difficult to escape stories about the new Iron Man movie and the impact of comic book heroes, but I want to write about a real hero who is just as resilient and just as powerful.

Lisa Tankovich is now on the path to becoming a social worker, but more than that, she's on a mission. As a survivor of relationship violence, she is working to make the world a safer place, one person at a time.

I met Lisa for the first time last week. She had been around the office, but I'm not much of a people person and so unless someone is introduced to me, I probably won't ever find out who they are unless someone uses their name in my presence.

Lisa and I were in the copy room and she asked me if I was coming to the the Peacemakers Showcase event that was being put on by our PAVE program. This was an event to celebrate the work of local youth to stop violence and provide their peers with information and perspectives on how to protect themselves and stay well.

In our conversation, Lisa disclosed that she was the survivor of a violent relationship and that her father was going to be speaking out for the first time at the event about what it is like to be the parent of a victim. She also said, and I am paraphrasing badly here, that her father was not a violent man, but was more than prepared to go to prison over Lisa's abuser.

She was clearly proud of her dad for supporting her and for speaking out and she wanted to share this. We had not really spoken prior to this and I, at that point, didn't know her name, and yet she was telling me all this personal stuff. I don't come from a background with that much honesty in it, and so her disclosures were, at first, awkward to hear, but then it became clear that she was talking about her journey to recovery and that she was empowered by her ability to overcome very difficult circumstances: that was compelling.

And so, last Friday night, on what was the first really nice Friday night of the spring, we gathered in the amphitheatre at the OSU-N campus and listened as Lisa introduced her dad. And there it was again, her clear-eyed honesty as she talked about what had happened to her, how her family had supported her, and how it was possible for her to go to school to help make a difference in the lives of other people.

When her dad spoke, it was hard to take your eyes off of him. This was the first time that he had spoken publically about his family's experience and yet you would never know it. He may not have been the most accomplished speaker, but he was unquestionably honest. Mistakes were made, opportunities were missed, but his family was intact and they were on their way back. He stressed the importance of maintaining the lines of communication, even when you may not like what you hear. He even took questions, nothing appeared to be off-limits.

It's easy to cite statistics and toll-free numbers when talking about violence; it gets harder when those statistics have first names and family members and histories. That is why it is so exciting to hear about the success stories. Lisa has not only managed to change her own life and get out of a bad situation, but she has changed the lives of her family members and we have no doubt that she will have a comparable impact on the lives of the people she meets as a social worker.

Graham Campbell

Associate Director

Mental Health America of Licking County