Co-occurring Services Net
Enhanced State Rating

 Frontier Health’s recent improvements in Alcohol and Drug services in outpatient and residential treatment services resulted in an enhanced rating from the state of Tennessee.
   The changes included linking services to meet the unique needs of clients with both a mental health diagnosis and substance abuse problems and providing individualized treatment from the first visit to their maintaining recovery.
   Key staff involved were Joe Page, Kelly Haught and Lorri Fennell.

Misunderstanding Can Prevent People from Seeking Help for Mental Illness  

By: Teresa Kidd, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President

of Tennessee Outpatient Services
All Rights Reserved

  One in four adults, or 57.7 million Americans, suffer from a diagnosable mental illness each year and one in 10 children has a serious mental, emotional or behavioral disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
   Although millions are affected, fewer than one-third receive any services. As with any illness, misunderstanding can prevent people from seeking help. Misunderstanding of mental illness, however leads to stigma, discrimination, fear, embarrassment, guilt, and even shame for those with a very treatable illness.
   Scientific research confirms that major mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders, but many people believe the myths regarding the causes for mental illness and just don’t seek treatment.

  Major mental illnesses are NOT the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. They are biologically based brain disorders.
   Mental illness is not a single illness; rather, there are different types of mental illnesses just as there are many different types of physical illnesses. They fall along a continuum of severity in terms of symptoms and their impact on an individual’s ability to function and deal with day-to-day life.

  Although generally mental illnesses affect people first during adolescence and young adulthood, all ages are susceptible.
   There are three major types of serious mental illness – Schizophrenia, Bipolar (or Manic Depressive) Disorder and Major Depressive Disorders. Anxiety disorders are fairly common (including Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), with 18.1 percent of the population suffering at some time with some form of anxiety disorder.
   Schizophrenia affects 2.4 million Americans and is  characterized by a disturbance in thinking and a loss of reality. Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorders, types of affective disorders, are characterized by a disturbance of mood.

  Affective disorders are the most common form of mental illness. Bipolar Disorder causes extreme mood swings, with almost frantically reckless “highs” and devastating “lows.” About 2.6 percent of the population suffers from Bipolar Disorder.
   Major depression affects nearly 6.7 percent of adults. It’s easy to identify with “depression,” because sadness is a common emotion, but unlike normal sadness, someone with major depression experiences pervasive and persistent sadness, irritability, and marked changes in sleep and appetite.

  Individuals suffering from major depression may also lose interest in the hobbies and recreational activities they normally enjoy.
   People who are suffering from major depression may have difficulty thinking or concentrating, may experience significant feelings of guilt, hopelessness, emptiness and worthlessness.

  They may actually feel drained and have physical symptoms that don’t respond to medical care. They may also spend a lot of time thinking about death, and possibly even suicide.
   The good news is that mental illnesses are treatable. Seeking professional help early leads to greater recovery. Effective treatment can combine therapy, medication, and recovery-oriented principles to help reduce and manage symptoms, and promote recovery.
  It’s important to remember that treatment for mental illnesses are based on the disorder’s severity, and not everyone needs medication as a part of their recovery efforts. The impact of mental illness can be lessened by early identification and effective treatment, including a variety of mental health and support services that are tailored to each individual’s needs.

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