Grand Forks woman among almost 19 percent of Americans suffering from mental illness
Grand Forks Herald (ND)Dec 22, 2014
A little more than two years later, the
"People say we drain the government of money, that we're not useful, that we're not worthwhile," Dockter said. "They don't treat us as human beings, they treat us as a disability."
Years ago, Dockter said she talked about her illness and people didn't understand and grew tired of hearing about it.
"It was all I knew at the time," she said. "Now, I know wellness. I have good things to talk about."
Dockter is among the nearly 19 percent of Americans -- about 43.7 million people -- reportedly suffering from some type of mental illness, according to a 2012 survey conducted by the
Even though mental illness pierces through age groups, race, gender, occupations and income levels, shame still surrounds the phrase "mental illness." But the shadows are slowly being dispelled as more and more seek treatment and speak out.
Of the 43.7 million documented mental health cases in 2012, the
For as many as it affects, mental illness often is swept out of view until tragedy reminds the world of its existence.
"It's one thing to talk about this globally, but when it happens to you or your family, it's very different," said
Through an eight-day series, the Herald will delve deeper into the prevalence of mental illness in the region and its effects on people, finances and communities.
From rural areas to schools, prisons, businesses and the home, experts and patients will reveal their stories to readers.
Changing attitudes
Society's perception of mental illness continues to evolve as awareness increases and new, more effective treatments are developed.
"I think there certainly has been an increase in awareness," Hoesel said. "I remember not too many years ago there was really questioning about if adolescents can have depression and whether it was a valid thing for adults as well."
Still, negative stigma surrounds it in all states, including
Every county in the state save for
The rural setting can make providing access to treatment difficult -- though people and attitudes also can play a role.
"I'm generalizing, but I think we have an attitude in the state that people need to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and get over it -- not recognizing that these are brain-based illnesses that are legitimate," Hoesel said.
"People pick up on it, and they treat you like you're some sort of freak," Frohlich said. "I can't control this. I've been through hell, and I've had traumatic issues and it makes things different."
Adding to that difficulty can be communities themselves, whose members do not want mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities within their neighborhoods or city limits, Hoesel said.
Employers who do not make accommodations for those diagnosed with mental illnesses also are a challenge.
"There are a couple other people here who have the same kind of disorder as me, so we talk -- talk about things that we can do to help each other get out of panic attacks," Charley said.
The negative views and attitudes surrounding mental illness also can serve as a barrier to treatment for some, casting doubt on their condition and keeping them from seeking help.
There are bright spots, including
Both locally and nationally, how mental illness is treated also is shifting, moving toward evidence-based practices, which rely on treatments with research proving their effectiveness.
These type of treatments result in improved conditions and fewer emergency room visits for patients, Hoesel said.
State efforts
In
The numbers only represent part of the picture when it comes to mental health access and treatment in the state.
"It's a very difficult thing to get a handle on what's provided privately because there isn't any one (entity) that collects all that information," Hoesel said.
The state does contract with some private agencies to provide treatment services, and those patients would count toward the state's total, such as those treated at Mountainbrooke. Mountainbrooke is one of eight such recovery centers in the state.
In its 2011-2013 biennium report, the state
The demand for services will continue to grow with the state's population, and facilities will have to adapt to their clientele, Hoesel said.
"We have a lot of individuals coming to this state that don't have ties here," she said. "That can lead to isolation and all kinds of things that would affect someone's mental health."
Nationally, the number of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, according to the
That's an addition of about 48,000 jobs. It's a similar story for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors who will increase at a rate of 31 percent during that time frame.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illness or who have overcome substance abuse make up an important population that's also growing in the mental health treatment industry, Hoesel said, adding they are critical to the mental health service delivery system.
"These are all individuals that have been there and can be enormous and critical value to people that are entering into treatment," Hoesel said.
These people provide peer and recovery support for those choosing to seek treatment.
The importance of peer support is evident at Mountainbrooke, where clients gather formally in support groups and informally in the center's TV area -- referred to by Director
"Here, individuals learn that they are not alone in their struggles with their illness," Gregerson said. "The reason the program works is because individuals here support each other."
"I think this environment is just great," he said.
While providing treatment and support is important, another key part of the mental health issue is educating the public about the illnesses.
Called mental health promotion, the state
"It's really about normalizing it," Hoesel said.
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