Some common myths:

• If you have mental health issues, you are “not normal”.
• If you have a mental health diagnosis, you “need” medication. 
• Children don’t have mental health issues.
• Mental health services are only for “crazy” people.

Have you ever thought any of these things yourself or do you know anyone that has said or thought this before? This article is to inform you that all of the statements above are misconceptions of what mental health is. They are all MYTHS! Fact is that using terms like “crazy” or “abnormal” can be very offensive, disrespectful and inappropriate.

Mental health is a very common thing that many people deal with. We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. It may help to think of mental health as a staircase that we all use. On one end, we have mental health disorders and on the other end we have mental health. The goal of Behavioral Health providers and their services is to try and help everyone move up to reach their full potential so they can become self-sufficient and live satisfying healthy lives. Living a healthy life means individuals are able to cope with challenging life situations, feel in control and confident of their lives, able to manage, express their emotions in healthy ways and build and maintain healthy relationships. 

Dealing with life stressors is something that we all deal with and this is what Behavioral Health providers are in place to assist with. Providers want to work with anyone that has consistent struggles with various things such as extreme sadness, grief and loss, substance use/addictions, anger problems, working through traumatic experiences and much more. If you or anyone you know feel as though you could use someone neutral to talk to and help you work through hard times, the Behavioral Health providers of YKHC are here for you.

May is Mental Health Awareness month and we want to help break the stigma of what mental health is. Please join us in helping break the stigma by dismissing myths such as those mentioned above and letting people know the facts!

More facts, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness: 

• About 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness
• About 17% of youth experience a mental health disorder, such as major depression
• Children experience mental health issues too but express them in different ways, not like adults
• Therapy/Counseling can help people work through their mental health problems
• Medication is not always necessary if a person has a mental health problem
• Subsistence living/activities can help people work through mental health problems and addictions 
• Traditional practices can be incorporated into therapy/counseling
• Therapy/counseling is based on your goals and objectives not the providers

To learn more, connect with your local Behavioral Health Aide and/or contact YKHC’s Behavioral Health Department at 543-6100. We have Friday Lunch & Learns to educate community members on various topics. We welcome conversations and discussions about community issues to help reduce community issues and we accept referrals for individual and group counseling. We are here for you!