Why We Care

by Paddy Kutz, Executive Director, Mental Health America of Licking County

At your age, why are you still working? I hear this question frequently and my current answer is “because not everyone in Licking County is mentally healthy.” Seriously though, I am driven by our vision for our county which is of a just, humane and healthy society in which all people are accorded respect, dignity and the opportunity to achieve their full potential free from stigma and prejudice.

One in four people will experience a serious mental disorder in his or her lifetime, including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders.

Mental illnesses are no-fault, biologically based brain disorders which cause disturbances in thinking, feeling and/or relating. Persons living with these disorders deserve the dignity of medical treatment and a wide range of supportive services from mental health care providers, friends and family, including caring congregations.

Though the majority of individuals living with mental illness can successfully be treated, stigma and misinformation continue to be significant barriers to treatment.

Consider these facts: this is “Why We Care”

• depression is the number one illness around the world (not just in the United States)
• one third of homeless people experience mental illness
• 90% of persons who die by suicide have a serious mental illness
• there are more people with mental illness in jails and prisons than in state mental institutions
• at least 67% of youth who drop out of school have an untreated mental health condition
• treatment works and people recover
• there is no health without mental health

It is our mission to promote good mental health, wellness and for victory over mental illness. We need everyone’s help in understanding these disorders and what it takes to be mentally healthy. Good mental health isn’t just the absence of illness. We must have good self-esteem, get along with others, and cope with life’s demands. When you have a mental illness, all of these things can be tougher to achieve but possible.

Having good self-esteem means to like oneself, but remember, you have to be likeable. Good self-esteem is a quiet feeling of liking who you are. So anyone who is boastful or a braggart does not have good mental health.

Getting along with others includes respecting differences and leaving the person alone if you don’t like them. A mentally healthy person doesn’t bully, name call, fight with, put down, or intimidate other people. You maintain self control and deal with conflict and anger in healthy ways.

Coping with life’s demands means that you use positive ways to deal with stress. There are many good ways to relieve stress, but drinking and drugging doesn’t solve anything and just leads to more problems.

Consider some of these constructive choices: this is “Why We Care”

• Figure out what is really causing the stress, write it down and then brainstorm solutions that will reduce the stress. Turn to a trusted friend, family member, school counselor, professional, minister, priest, rabbi, faith leader or call Mental Health America of Licking County at 740-522-1341 or email at mhalc@alink.com. Don’t suffer in silence, talk it out
• Eating right, sleeping right and exercise are so important to deal with life’s demands too. In fact, new research shows that exercise works just as well as many anti-depressant medications, so get up and move it.
• Get rid of that stinking thinking and remember this is where many people need help, so ask for it.

I met former first lady, Rosalyn Carter, many years ago and have never forgotten her quote “People living with mental illness are our neighbors. They are members of our congregations, members of our families; they are everywhere in this country. If we ignore their cries for help, we will be continuing to participate in the anguish from which those cries of help come. A problem of this magnitude will not go away. Because it will not go away and because of our spiritual commitments, we are compelled to take action.”

This is a perfect time for you to help me help others. Our website has lots of helpful information about mental health and mental illnesses as well as the services we provide throughout Licking County. Check us out at www.mhalc.org. On the left side click on the donate sign to contribute. If you have questions, please ask. I care and I want to be helpful for another 30 years.