Mental Health Summit in Apple Valley focuses on 'stigma of silence'
Daily PressMay 11, 2018
Drew shared her message of "pain and hope" to a packed house at the Inaugural High Desert Mental Health Summit, hosted by
The day-long "Building Pathways to Hope" summit, held Wednesday at the Town of
Held during National Mental Health Month, the goal of the summit was to examine regional mental/behavioral health data, problems/issues, services and best practices. And to work collectively to address the challenges/barriers, enhance existing programs and explore other opportunities.
"I'm encouraged by today's attendance and by those who are here to join forces with others to learn more about how we can help those struggling with mental health issues," said
Garrett shared a few mental health facts surrounding American adults, including 18.1 percent experience anxiety disorder and 41 percent are unable to receive treatment because of the lack of resources.
"In my research, I was shocked to find that 18 to 22 veterans commit suicide every day, which is beyond distressing," said Garrett, who pointed to data that show an alarming increase in the number of suicides.
During a 15-year period ending in 2014, the total suicide rate increased 24 percent from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000, according to the
Drew's message during the summit resonated with many in attendance whose desire is to dismantle the "stigma of silence" surrounding the mental health industry and those seeking help.
"Being bipolar was a life of extremes," said Drew, who attends
During the summit, Drew explained how her "suicide attempt" at age 15 led to her bipolar diagnosis and to a world where there's a lack of mental health professionals to meet the growing need.
"There were a lot of well-meaning people that cared for me in the hospital, but there were times when I felt dehumanized," Drew said. "I went from a girl known as Alex -- to being known as a high risk."
Drew's mother,
"Every day is mental health day because there is no health without mental health," said Dr.
With "one in five" Americans and "half the world" affected by a mental health issue, depression will overtake heart disease as the No. 1 disability in the world by the year 2020, said Chau, who believes
"We also have to break this stigma around mental health," Chau said. "People call in sick because of a physical ailment, but you never hear someone call in sick because they don't feel emotionally well. We need to get over that."
Dr. Carizma Chapman, the clinical director of Integration at
Headquartered in
Gruchy announced the future construction of a DBH building on
"They covered 24 different topics such as homelessness, bullying, LGBTQ, suicide prevention and veterans," Usry said. "I told my students that healthcare is not inside the four walls of the hospital, but it starts with individuals, the family and the community."
First District Supervisor
For more information, visit www.stmaryapplevalley.com or www.eachmindmatters.org.
Reporter
___
(c)2018 Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
Visit Daily Press, Victorville, Calif. at www.vvdailypress.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.