OZH MENTAL HEALTH


Healthy Ways to COPE WITH STRESS


» Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories.


» Take care of your body:


• Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.


Pressures of the Pandemic


BY AMY GORDY T


he weight of the pandemic con- tinues to build on Americans even a year and a half after it first reached our state. We’ve


seen shutdowns, business closures, school closures, job loss, death, illness, food short- ages, hospital bed shortages and the con- tinued encouragement for social distancing and isolation as the country waits for the vaccine-hesitant to step up. This is a lot for people to bear — too much


to bear, in fact. Experts have been tracking the mental health of Americans through- out the pandemic. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in partnership with the Census Bureau has been distrib- uting 20-minute online surveys, called the Household Pulse Survey, and the results are in. Americans need mental health sup- port now more than ever. At the start of the pandemic in 2019, 8.1% of adults aged 18 and over had symptoms of anxiety disorder, 6.5% had symptoms of depressive disor- der, and 10.8% had symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. A survey in September 2021, reveals 28% of adults aged 18 and over had symptoms of anxiety disorder, 22% had symptoms of depressive disorder and 32% had symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. In another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control in June 2020,


40 | OZARKS HEALTHCARE | WINTER 2021


it was found that 13% of those surveyed reported having started or increased sub- stance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. Yet, there is evidence that the pandem- ic is not affecting all Americans equal- ly. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “As is often the case, unfor- tunately, the most vulnerable among us are also feeling the mental health effects most intensely. Job loss, housing instability, food insecurity and other risk factors for poor outcomes have disproportionately hit mi- nority communities.” There is no debating that the pandemic is doing major damage to our mental health, but fortunately, there are also great physi- cians offering guidance and solutions close to home. Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (BHC) is a department of Ozarks Healthcare and provides psychiatry, psycho- therapy, case management, health home, cri- sis services and psychosocial day treatment programs. BHC serves a seven-county region that includes Howell, Oregon, Shannon, Texas, Wright, Douglas and Ozark counties with facilities in West Plains and Mountain Grove, as well as Ozarks Healthcare clinics in Mountain View and Thayer. The team at BHC includes psychia- trists, social workers, nurse practitioners,


• Try to eat healthy, well- balanced meals. • Exercise regularly. • Get plenty of sleep.


• Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and substance use.


OZARKS HEALTHCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER ADDRESSES MENTAL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS


• Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.


• Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine


» Make time to unwind — Try to do some other activities you enjoy.


» Connect with others — Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.


» Connect with your community or faith-based organizations — While social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media or by phone or mail.


Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


nurses, community support specialists, peer specialists, family support providers, and counselors to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to members of the community ages 6 and older. Anyone can take advantage of the services provided by BHC — no referral needed — with the Open Access Program. Patients are seen as quickly as possible, asked about their his- tory and current symptoms and given nec- essary appointments or referrals for further needed services. The BHC mission “To provide excep- tional, compassionate care to all we serve,” strikes a chord during this time when ev- eryone needs a little more compassion, grace and empathy. For more information, contact Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center at 417-257-6762.


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