Hospital Corner
Mental Health Series Who is at risk?
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In our continuing discussion of mental health, we have discussed awareness of our increased U.S. suicide rates and high rates of depression, anxiety, Trauma/Stressor Related Disorder and we would wonder, who is at risk for mental health problems?
The answer is all of us.
SAMHSA reported in 2021 that 21% of all US adults live with a mental health condition. So, when you and four of your friends are together, statistics say that one of you is living with a mental health issue.
Reasons are many and we all have stressors in our lives. Youth stress can be academic, peer or social, family expectations, social media, and bullying.
Young adults must learn to juggle new careers and relationships, having children create pressures of finding and paying for childcare, finances, cars and homes, and role changes.
Adults can have the same concerns, plus add aging parents, retirement plans, financial setbacks and medical issues can all become overwhelming.
The elderly population was isolated during the pandemic and now may experience fears of rejoining society with COVID still present. Seniors start to lose friends and family, spouses, and social supports to age, disease and death.
Suicide risk can increase with stress and poor adaptation to it and raise our feelings of anxiety, depression, grief and more.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports “suicide is a major public health concern.” The CDC reports that suicide risk factors are social isolation, financial and legal stress, relationships (bullying, family history of suicide, loss, violence), community (barriers to health, community suicide clusters), and societal (stigma related to mental illness or seeking help for it and easy access to lethal means).
The CDC also lists protective factors such as increased coping/problem solving skills, connections with others and community support, access to care for physical/mental health, and limited access to legal means among people at risk.
Adults may have more access to lethal means, increasing the risk of completing a suicide attempt.
At the same time, statistics tell us that suicidal ideation seems more common at 18–24-year-olds, more in men than women and men may be less likely to ask for help or have a relationship with a health care provider.
Calling for help from others is OK and we hope those feeling overwhelmed will call Columbia County Health System clinic for Behavior health 509 382 3200, Blue Mtn Counseling at 509 382 1164. Columbia County Crisis Line- 509 876 0626 and nationally Suicide Prevention/ Crisis Lifeline 1 800 273 TALK (8255)
