Mental health means different things to each of us, but we all know it is important. World Mental Health Day – observed every year on October 10 – highlights that importance even more by fostering a shared understanding of mental health’s role in our everyday lives and long-term well-being.
“Mental health is critical to a person’s overall health and quality of life,” said Kerry Breen, a therapist with Lexington-based Healthy Mind Counseling and Wellness, LLC. “Mental well-being helps people to have better decision-making skills, improved daily functionality, a greater sense of purpose, and maintain healthy relationships.”
Breen’s passion for mental health began with his grandmother, a licensed social worker who worked in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1930s. He followed in her footsteps by completing a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.
“Since I was a boy, I wanted to be a social worker and be able to help people who are experiencing problems,” said Breen, who co-owns his practice, which offers personalized care and a holistic approach, with Jennifer Jean Williams.
Organizations like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services define mental health as encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which collectively affects how we think, feel, and act. Good mental health helps us cope with stress, realize our potential, make sound decisions, and contribute to society.
Though largely stigmatized and even penalized throughout history, advances in our understanding of mental health disorders and how to treat them – as well as advocacy for the overall importance of mental health – have brought this aspect of the human experience into much sharper focus than in previous decades. By normalizing conversations about mental health and using scientific study to increase our knowledge about how it works, we have a much better understanding of the challenges we’re facing – both individually and as a population.
One in seven people, more than one billion total, live with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization, with about half of all people experiencing a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Rates are even higher in the U.S., where approximately 23% of adults (61.5 million people; nearly 15 million of them facing a serious mental illness) and 16.5% of youth, ages 6-17, are affected.
Closer to home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tracking data reports that South Carolina nearly mirrors the nationwide prevalence rates of overall and specific mental health challenges: 20.7% diagnosed with depression; 15.2% frequent mental distress (adults); 11.9% postpartum depression (new mothers); 40% persistent sadness (high schoolers); frequent mental distress (women ages 18-44).
Unfortunately, there are major gaps in the treatment of these conditions. For example, approximately 70% of South Carolinians with depression receive no treatment. Across the U.S. and other high-income countries, only 40% of people who need mental health care actually receive it. This number drops as low as 10% in low-income countries.
An array of issues collide with and exacerbate one another to result in barriers to care, including cost, provider shortages (with some regions, especially in the South and in South Carolina, subject to very limited resources), insurance coverage, social and self-stigma and discrimination, transportation, time off work for caregiving, and language/other cultural misalignment.
“Our community faces many of the same barriers experienced by the rest of the country,” Breen said. “These may include financial costs and high insurance copays and deductibles, limited coverage for behavioral services, and provider shortages, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and licensed professional counselors. Social stigma, which leads people to hide their struggles and avoid seeking help, is also a major challenge.”
Established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, World Mental Health Day’s goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues and rally support for addressing them. Bringing together stakeholders from across the mental health field – clinical providers, family members, impacted individuals – one of the community’s most important goals is to make mental healthcare accessible for people worldwide.
Breen said it’s critical that we reduce stigma to help ensure that people can access the help they need. He points out that Lexington Mental Health (part of South Carolina’s public mental health system) is a great resource for people that are experiencing mental challenges.
Most importantly, Breen wants people to know that mental health challenges are treatable and can be improved. According to the Mental Health First Aid Manual, “Studies show that with proper care and treatment, people with mental health challenges get better, and many recover completely.”
For people who want to get help or help others get the support they need, Breen has some advice.
“Recognize the signs of mental health concerns, seek professional help, become educated about what is available in the Lexington community, and advocate for appropriate treatment.”