Commentary: Don’t ignore mental illness; get help, treatment

By Susan Johnson

Many of us ignore physical symptoms — an aching tooth, a shoulder that locks up, early signs of diabetes or high blood pressure. Maybe we’re afraid of the dentist, don’t want to face possible surgery, or don’t want to deal with medications and lifestyle changes.

We may also ignore signs of depression and other mental illnesses for a variety of reasons. We might feel mental illness is a sign of weakness, or fear that friends, family or employers would judge us or discriminate against us. Already, too many Americans experience prejudice, discrimination, abuse and victimization based on a mental health diagnosis. And for too long, Americans paid for health insurance that did not recognize that treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is as essential as other medical treatment.

It’s time for us to let people who are living with mental health conditions know that they are not alone, and that this administration is providing important protections for people experiencing mental illness. A recent report from the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force includes a series of new actions and recommendations to ensure that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services is comparable to — or at parity with — general medical care because, just as with other illnesses, we can’t afford to neglect our mental health.

Mental illnesses take huge tolls on individuals and society as a whole. The annual direct and indirect economic costs of mental illnesses in the U.S., particularly untreated mental illnesses, are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Productivity and income are reduced, health care costs for other illnesses rise, and addiction, homelessness, and disability rates rise. Most importantly, individuals and families suffer.

According to the most recent statistics, 43.4 million adults aged 18 or older experienced some form of mental illness in the past year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects depression will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

Though disabling when symptoms persist, depression is treatable and most Americans greatly improve with treatment, services and recovery supports.

Signs of depression include experiencing some of the following, most of the day, for at least two weeks:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.

Irritability.

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.

Decreased energy or fatigue.

Moving or talking more slowly.

Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still.

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.

Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.

Appetite and/or weight changes.

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.

Physical diseases like diabetes, arthritis or heart disease can increase your risk of depression. Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history, major life changes and where you live can also play a role in depression.

Help is available. If you or someone you love exhibits signs of depression or another mental illness, the first step is to get screened. For 24-hour emotional support, and referrals to treatment and recovery services anywhere in the state, call or visit the Washington Recovery Help Line at 866-789-1511 or contact Washington Information Network 211 at 877-211-9274. For providers near you, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Services Locator at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov, or call 800-662-HELP (4357). If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

The National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov, has a list of suggestions to help support treatment: Beyond Treatment: Things You Can Do. You can also find more information at SAMHSA’s website or at MentalHealth.gov.

Mental health is essential to overall health. Make mental health a priority.

Susan Johnson is the Region 10 director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Feb. 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, a man using an electronic cigarette exhales in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, the American Medical Association said it is calling for an immediate ban on all electronic cigarette and vaping devices. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
Editorial: Shut down flavored tobacco’s gateway to youths

Legislation in Olympia would bar the use of flavors and menthol in vape products and cigarettes.

Herald report of Everett protest inaccurate, biased

I was at the rally and protest in Everett last on Feb.… Continue reading

Media shouldn’t use ‘she’ for trans people

About 79 percent of Americans oppose those observed male at birth from… Continue reading

USAID freeze halts vital aid work

I am outraged the Trump administration is making the U.S. weaker in… Continue reading

Goldberg: Trump declares war on higher ed, not just woke parts

The move, aided by Elon Musk, to gut NIH funding, is part of a larger and debilitating attack on academia.

Comment: Trump’s Kennedy Center will narrow exposure to art

Trump’s move to takeover the Kennedy Center is not about the arts but about celebrating his tastes.

Rivian, based in Irvine, Calif., has introduced its new R2 models, smaller and more affordable SUVs. (Rivian)
Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales

Legislation would allow EV makers to sell directly to customers, making lease or purchase easier.

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Feb. 17

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: No one saw Musk’s DOGE rampage coming or its threat

With no formal grant of authority, Musk is making cuts without fully understanding the consequences.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.