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National Mental Health Awareness Month 2015
Daniel Hageman
Although a staggering one in five Americans have been diagnosed with a mental disorder(s), mental illness continues to be widely misunderstood, misrepresented, and subject to social stigma. Not surprisingly, the stigma associated with mental illness remains one of the biggest barriers preventing individuals from getting necessary treatment.
Although a staggering one in five Americans have been diagnosed with a mental disorder(s) 1 , mental illness continues to be widely misunderstood, misrepresented, and subject to social stigma. Not surprisingly, the stigma associated with mental illness remains one of the biggest barriers preventing individuals from getting necessary treatment.
National Mental Health Awareness Month, observed throughout the month of May, is a campaign that strives to eliminate stigma, and encourage family members, friends and colleagues to support those diagnosed with mental illness in seeking out and receiving necessary medical treatment. Many organizations as well as leading media platforms participate in the campaign. This May, Discovery Life Channel in partnership with Bring Change 2 Mind, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the stigma associated with mental illness, will air celebrity ambassadors calling for the end of mental illness discrimination as well as programming featuring various mental disorders. 2
Mental Health America (MHA) has championed the cause for over 65 years, and provides free educational materials in English and Spanish to educate individuals and organizations about mental illness, encourage discussion, share infographics and social media posts, and direct people to mental health screening resources.
“#B4Stage4” is more than just MHA’s hashtag for May 2015, it is a key factor in improving and saving lives. Many Americans never receive treatment for their mental illnesses, or receive care only when their illness has impaired functioning and/or has jeopardized lives – either their own or others. Early intervention, both identifying and treating symptoms before they escalate to a crisis state (Stage 4), is so important in preventing tragic outcomes. Therapy, and/or medication may seem like a costly investment; however, it is far less costly than treating a crisis event that may lead to hospitalization.
Whether you are enduring a mental disorder or want to support those who are, there are several ways to help.
- EDUCATE: While there are many mental disorders and an overwhelming amount of information on these conditions, you can become familiar with common symptoms in helping to recognize mental illness, how and where to get screened, and learn the best ways to provide support to someone in need. The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) educates and advocates to build better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Learn more about mental illness, including warning signs , different conditions , mental health statistics and various treatment options on their website.
- DISSIMENATE: Whether you share information on social media through local events, or by having personal conversations with friends and loved ones, take the opportunity to share what you’ve learned about mental illness. You could also join over 10,000 Americans who have taken the pledge to help Stamp Out Stigma (SOS) through the Three R’s: recognizing when you or loved ones need help, reeducating others to help them learn there is hope and options for care, and reducing the stigma that can lead to hesitation in seeking care due to bullying, misunderstanding, and insensitivity. SOS’s Person Centric Language Guide is particularly helpful in understanding how to describe mental illness and those who are affected by it.
- ADVOCATE: Although National Mental Health Awareness Month concludes on May 31 st , advocacy, treatment, and support of mental health issues will continue. If you suspect that someone you know is suffering with mental illness and not receiving help, initiate a conversation with compassion and empathy and assist them in finding professional help. Avoid giving advice beyond directing them to an organization or doctor who can provide diagnosis and treatment. If someone needs immediate help, refer them to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or 911 if the situation is potentially life threatening. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and MentalHealth.gov are great starting points to find care in your area and/or other organizations that can help.
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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