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Myths and Misconceptions – Clay County Hospital – Flora

People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Prevention doesn’t work. It is impossible to prevent mental illnesses.  Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing known risk factors such as exposure to trauma that can affect the chances that children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health problems. Promoting the social-emotional well-being of children and youth leads to:

Higher overall productivityIt’s time to rethink mental health. As a society we’ve not been very good at talking about our emotions, or how we’re feeling, and there is still stigma and discrimination out there about mental health. Until we face the fact that we all have mental health and at times like that of physical health it can be out of balance, we risk losing another person to suicide.

Role of the Community

We, as a community, have a responsibility to identify and intervene when observing or learning of behavior that indicates a person is having difficulty functioning in day-to-day activities, or may be in danger to themselves or others.

Enhanced services and supports in the community are just as important as treatment so that the person can live, work, and integrate in their environment.

If you know of someone who makes comments or demonstrates behaviors that suggest he or she is having thoughts of hurting themselves or others, or is distressed, it is important that the individual gets help.

Persons with mental illness who receive proper treatment and supports will live, work and contribute to their communities. To make this happen, all members of the community have a responsibility to create and promote opportunities where persons with mental illness can feel safe, included and accepted.

Myths

Only certain people experience mental health problems. – Anyone can experience a mental health problem at any time.

Only some people have mental health.   Everyone has mental health, just as we all physical health

Mental health problems don’t affect me. –  Mental health problems are actually very common. In 2011, about:

One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue.

One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression.

One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 38,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide.

People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.  The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%-5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don’t even realize it, because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities.

Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.  Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry.

Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse.

Family history of mental health problems

Better educational outcomes

Lower crime rates

Stronger economies

Lower health care costs

Improved quality of life

Increased lifespan

Improved family life.

If I have a mental illness, it is a sign of weakness—it’s my fault.   Mental illness is not anyone’s fault any more than heart disease or diabetes is a person’s fault. According to the Surgeon General’s report: “Mental disorders are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof), associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.”

Mental illnesses are not a condition that people choose to have or not have. Mental illnesses are not results of willful, petulant behavior. No one should have to feel ashamed of this condition any more than any other medical condition.

If I seek help for my mental health problem, others will think I am “crazy”  No one should delay getting treatment for a mental health problem that is not getting better, just as one would not wait to take care of a medical condition that needed treatment. Some people worry that others will avoid them if they seek treatment for their mental illness. Early treatment can produce better results. Seeking appropriate help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Mental health problems are very rare.  1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

Depression is not a real medical problem.  Depression is a real and serious condition. It is no different than diabetes or heart disease in its ability to impact someone’s life. It can have both emotional and physical symptoms and make life very difficult for those who have it. The medical community has acknowledged the seriousness of depression and recognizes it as a disease. While no one is completely certain what causes depression, we know that genetic and biological factors play a significant role in development of this disease.

Depression is something that strong people can “snap out of” by thinking positively.  No one chooses to be depressed, just like no one chooses to have any other health condition. People with depression cannot just “snap out of” their depression any more than someone with diabetes can. It is not a sign of weakness or laziness to be depressed; it is a health problem resulting from changes in brain structure or function due to environmental and biological factors.

Suicide Facts

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds and 2nd for 24 to 35-year-olds.

In the U.S., suicide rates are highest during the spring.

On average, 1 person commits suicide every 13.3 minutes.

Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people.

There is 1 suicide for every 25 attempted suicides.

Males make up 79% of all suicides, while women are more prone to having suicidal thoughts.

The bottom line: Males between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age make up the majority of suicidal deaths with most acts completed in the spring. Several men and women are unknowingly suffering from suicide and many of these individuals have contemplated suicide at one time or another.

Depression is among the most treatable of illnesses. Should you know someone who you believe may be depressed encourage him or her to use the services provided in Clay County.

Article From:  Clay County Hospital – Flora

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Behavioral Health – Emotional Well-Being – Clay County Hospital

Clay County Hospital – Flora – Mental and emotional well-being is essential to overall health. Positive mental health allows people to realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. As part of your community’s healthcare program, we continue to listen to the voices of our community and to address that expressed. Today, in response to you, emotional care can now be accessed here in Clay County at the Clay County Hospital’s Medical Clinic.

We offer emotional and psychological assessments of children ages 5 and over, including adolescents and adults.

Our providers can handle basic to severe issues, as well as covering disorders, social issues, relationship problems, self-esteem issues, and substance abuse.

We can offer therapy, behavioral health, or a combination of both.

Your first step to accessing mental health related services is to pick up the phone and call 618-662-2131 in order to speak with our friendly staff. Depending upon the kind of services you’re seeking, you may be transferred in order to answer a question, receive guidance, or schedule an appointment. If you’re not quite sure about what type of services you are seeking, clinic staff will work with you to help you determine and access the services you may need.

We are interested in developing a collaborative relationship with you in which we try to decide together what kind of treatment would be best for you. However, not everyone will be referred for continuing therapy at the clinic. We make decisions on what we believe will be best for the client.

At the end of that first session, if we decide that it is in your best interest to move forward working with the assigned therapist, you will decide on a mutually-agreeable time slot for your therapy sessions (typically, the client and therapist will meet once a week, and each session will last approximately one hour). At your second appointment, you will begin working with your therapist to set goals for your therapy experience and then begin working together toward achieving them.

Therapy can help with just about any type of emotional or psychological problem, including:

Depression

Anxiety

Anger

Bipolar Disorder

Addiction

Adjustment Disorder

Trauma

PTSD

Self-esteem

Shame

Grief and Loss

Parent-Child conflicts

Eating disorders

Article by:  Clay County Hospital

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HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital – Speech Therapy

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital – Speech therapy is designed to help patients with disorders, conditions and disabilities improve their communication abilities. Our speech therapy staff works with patients of all ages, from children to senior citizens, to ensure every patient has the ability to express themselves, a trait that heightens confidence and a sense of belonging.

Expression can be much more than just talking. Our professional staff will teach other forms of expression like gestures, body language and signing. Patients who have trouble with forming sentences correctly or recalling words will also find relief through our speech therapy department.

Our speech and language department can help treat the following issues:

Speech Disorders

Apraxia of Speech

Articulation and Phonological Processes

Dysphagia

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

Speech Sound Disorder

Stuttering/Cluttering

Voice

Language Disorders

Aphasia

Cognitive-linguistic communication

Language Delay

Language Based Learning Disabilities

Medical Conditions

Augmentative and Alternative

Autism

Brain Injury

Cancer/ Post- Reconstruction

Communications (AAC)

Parkinson’s Disease

Stroke

Modified barium swallow exam (MBS)

To discuss or schedule treatment, please contact us at 217-774-6434. Hours of operation: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Please let us know if you have special scheduling requirements

Article by:  HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital

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Medical Imaging – HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital

One of the most common misconceptions people have of their smaller community hospital is that it may not offer the latest in imaging technology, also known as radiology. HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital offers advanced medical imaging that is 100% digital and you can be assured that a boar-certified radiologist will receive and review your results quickly.

While many outpatient procedures can be performed on a “walk in” basis, there are some exams that require a fasting period prior to the test and a radiologist be present for the exam. For this reason, it is always best to call the Imaging Department at (217) 774-3961, ext. 5171 to find out if an appointment is needed. Please note all radiology exams require a written or phoned-in order from your physician.

Common diagnostic exams performed at Good Shepherd Hospital include:

X-ray

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

Mammography

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Ultrasound (Sonography)

Nuclear Medicine

Bone Densitometry

Article by:  HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital

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Sarah Bush Lincoln – Courses, Classes And Support Groups

Classes and support groups are offered by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to help provide people with similar concerns. The locations of all programs are posted daily in the Main Lobby of the Health Center. The facilitator listed at the end of each description below may be contacted for more information and for meeting locations.

Wellness

Center for Healthy Living
A medical center through which participants receive a custom-designed exercise and lifestyle program to manage chronic illnesses. Provider referral is required.
217-238-3488

First Aid for Emergencies & Adult & Pediatric CPR
Instructors certified by the American Heart Association. Scheduled periodically, $50 fee for each class.
Shirley Sherwood
217-258-2403

Healthy Directions
A six-month community weight-management program.
6:30 pm, every Thursday at SBL
Denise Bloemer, RD, LDN
217-258-2199

Hearing Aid Services 
Offered at Sarah Bush Lincoln, SBL Effingham Clinic, and the Paris Community Hospital.
217-258-2568

Living with Diabetes* 
This program is for people with diabetes and focuses on managing it through nutrition and exercise.
Paula Enstrom, RN
217-238-4808

Step in the Right Direction*  
A FREE six-month program for people with pre-diabetes.
Paula Enstrom, RN
217-238-4808

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This program is for people with COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis and other respiratory conditions.
11 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm every Tues. and Thurs. in the METS department.
Cathy Matheny
217-238-4973

Tobacco Cessation Services
A program to help you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.
SBL Wellness Services
217-258-2140

Weight Management Program
A clinically monitored weight management program for people of all ages.
Kristina Adams, RD
217-238-4774

Support Groups

A.W.A.K.E.
Open to anyone suffering from sleep disorders, primarily sleep apnea.
6 to 8 pm, first week of March, June and October
Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at SBL
Rodney Wildman, RPSGT
217-238-4908

Diabetic Support Group
7 pm, second Tuesday of the month in March, June and September at SBL
Cindy Foster, RD, certified diabetic educator
217-258-2199

Hopeful Horizons
A grief and education support group open to anyone seeking support about the bereavement process.
1 to 2:30 pm, third Thursday of each month
Prairie Pavilion 2, at Lincolnland Hospice.
1-800-454-4055

Ostomy Support Group
Evening meetings four times a year in Mattoon and Effingham. Call for dates, times and locations.
Jenna Kreke, BSN, RN
217-238-4804

Pathways Through Grief
A support group open to anyone who has lost a loved one.
7 to 8:30 pm, first Wednesday of each month (Due to this date falling on July 4, July’s class will be July 11)
Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at SBL
Lincolnland Hospice
1-800-454-4055

Prepared Childbirth

Oh, Baby!
Preregistration fee: $60 per couple.
Financial assistance available.
Allison Masse, RN, CLC
217-258-2278

Parent 2 Parent
A FREE service offering information, discussion and support about becoming a parent.
6 to 7 pm, first Tuesday of each month
Kyla Ballinger
217-962-0765

Birth Companions
A service for expectant mothers to have a specially trained nursing student serve as a professional labor assistant.
217-258-2278 

Financial Assistance

Affordable Care Act
Navigators are available to help people in the seven-county area (Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Shelby) to enroll in health insurance. The healthcare insurance marketplace is open from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31.
217-238-4994

Financial Assistance
If you have any questions about the SBL Financial Assistance Program, please call Patient Financial Services between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
1-800-381-0040. Download a Financial Assistance form.

*Funded in part by WomenConnected, a women’s giving circle within the SBL Health Foundation.

 

Article From:  Sarah Bush Lincoln