By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
During Mental Health Awareness month, Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is hoping to encourage people to be more open about mental health struggles.
Behavioral Health nurse Debbie White says the goal of the month is to let people know they are not alone, and to reduce the stigma that exists with metal health.
White says within the past couple years she has seen more people being more open when it comes to talking about mental health at Mosaic.
“Especially going to their primary care, even if they go because they have a fracture or a sore throat or something, one of the questions they ask are about their mental health and is about depression and anxiety,” White tells reporters. “And so, I think the awareness is present.”
Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is helping provide resources during Mental Health Awareness month to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
White says mental health services becoming more accessible has also helped shift people away from the stigma of mental health.
White credits social media for being a good tool at times, but says there are also many good counselors within the area that help when Mosaic can not
“Oh my gosh I don’t know what we would do without them, because it does take a team, and the more resources a person has, the better the outcome,” White explains. “And not only does that outcome help them, but it also helps their friends, it helps their families, mental health isn’t just about the person it’s about whom they live with, who they work with, who they go to school with.”
White says one very important thing is you don’t want people to feel alone or isolated, because they already do, so getting them connected with someone that can help is much easier these days than it used to be.
White says they encourage people to talk about their problems, to move past the stigma and negative stereotypes that surround mental health.
White says there are resources available to help those struggling with mental health and says one incredible one has been the 988 hotline.
“One of the first questions we ask is do you have any thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation,” White says. “There’s the 988 number, and that’s not just in our organization, that’s everywhere, I went to a gas station along the highway and 988 was present, and so I think that shows a lot of growth and improvement.”
Overall, though, White says she feels as a society we’ve become more open to talking about mental health and people’s struggles, which has also been a tremendous resource.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
