May Is Mental Health Awareness Month :: Local Resources Abound to Help Maintain Mental Health or Treat a Mental Illness

WICentralTimeNEWSeditor, ,

Written by Jessica Meadows

“May is Mental Health Month” was started 70 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.

When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle . . .

It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to EVERYONE’S overall health and well-being and that mental illnesses are common and treatable.

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Seeking Help for a Mental Health Concern?

In Marathon County, there are mental health providers like North Central Health Care (NCHC) available to assist you and your family. Whether you have a concern about a loved one or a friend — or you’re living with a mental health challenge yourself — there is help available.

People receive care at NCHC for a variety of different reasons:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Abuse/trauma support
  • Stress
  • Personality & behavioral disorders
  • Family & marriage counseling
  • Major life changes
  • Severe mental illness

People receive support for acute (short-term) mental health concerns or for long-term mental health challenges. NCHC’s services care for people of all ages, providing care and treatment in a manner that is most appropriate for each person’s individual situation.

Visit North Central Health Care’s website to learn more about the variety of mental health services they provide.

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Not Sure of All Your Options for Help? Call United Way’s 2-1-1

2-1-1

Another great, up-to-date source to connect you with mental health help and resources is United Way’s 2-1-1. United Way’s 2-1-1 is a FREE, confidential information and referral service — available 24/7 for your health and human service needs.

Our local 2-1-1 serves residents of Marathon, Portage, Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties and is nationally accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).

There are several easy ways to access the 2-1-1 information:

United Way’s 2-1-1 can help you find information or services on a variety of needs . . .

Are you looking for a parenting class?
Need to find health insurance?
Being evicted or having trouble buying groceries?

2-1-1 can help you find solutions.

You can learn more about United Way of Marathon County’s services at their website or read United Way of Marathon County :: An Essential Building Block of Prosperity for Us All, wherein Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger reminds us that prosperity for a community includes more than just financial security — it also includes having good physical and mental health.

24/7/365 Emergency & Crisis Services

If you think you or someone you know may have a mental or emotional challenge, it’s important to remember there is hope and help.

NCHC offers 24/7/365 confidential and anonymous crisis and emergency phone counseling and intervention to all residents of Marathon, Lincoln, and Langlade Counties — be it emotional, mental health, suicide prevention, or substance abuse issues.

You can reach the Crisis Center all hours of every day. Simply call 1-800-799-0122.

You can also come to the Crisis Center 24/7/365 located at 1100 Lake View Drive in Wausau.

Did You Know . . .?

A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions. For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health.

This May, for Mental Health Month, North Central Health Care (NCHC) is expanding upon last year’s theme of 4Mind4Body and taking it to the next level. We hope BOOST mental health and general wellness as we explore a variety of topics:

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Speaking of animal companionship, have you met Alvin, NCHC’s Therapy Dog?
If not, you can learn more about Alvin here.

Throughout the month of May, we’ll continue to share information on our website and social media pages regarding these topics. Follow NCHC on Facebook and Twitter. You can also visit NCHC’s website for Mental Health Month information and articles.

It’s Important to Understand How Lifestyle Impacts Your Mental Health

During May, our partners at Mental Health America (MHA) will look at how the above list of topics may be especially beneficial to people who are living with chronic physical illnesses.

MHA has developed a series of information sheets (available here) to help people understand how their lifestyle affects their health. Feel free to read and share these great tips and graphics!

Infographic - Chronic Health Conditions and Mental Health

We know that living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, but it can be achieved by gradually making small changes and by building on those successes. Finding the balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health can help you on the path toward focusing both 4Mind4Body.

Focusing on the Whole Person

When we talk about health, we can’t just focus on heart health, or liver health, or brain health. We have to see the WHOLE person, and make use of the tools and resources that benefit our minds and bodies together.

So, spread the word that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being and that mental illnesses are common and treatable.

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Jessica_MeadowsJessica Meadows

Communications & Marketing Coordinator  |  North Central Health Care

As the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at North Central Health Care (NCHC), Jessica Meadows is passionate about being able to use her creative talents to connect people to healthcare, resources, and networking that will impact their life in a positive way. Prior to joining NCHC, she was a Creative Director and leader at a marketing agency in the Stevens Point area. With almost 20 years’ experience in print, web, social media, video, radio, and public relations, it was important for her to connect back to her roots here in the Wausau area, where she and her husband raise their two young children. When she’s not busy at an event or volunteering, she enjoys playing sports, coaching, biking, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.  Email Jessica Meadows.

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All images except MHA infographic courtesy of North Central Health Care.