Susan Johnson: Protections, help available for mental illnesses

Many of us ignore physical symptoms – an aching tooth, a shoulder which locks up, early signs of diabetes or high blood pressure. Maybe we’re afraid of the dentist, don’t want to face possible surgery, or don’t want to deal with medications and lifestyle changes.

We also may ignore signs of depression and other mental illnesses for a variety of reasons. We might feel mental illness is a sign of weakness, or fear that friends, family or employers would judge us or discriminate against us. Already, too many Americans experience prejudice, discrimination, abuse and victimization based on a mental health diagnosis. And for too long, Americans paid for health insurance that did not recognize that treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is as essential as for other medical treatment.

It’s time for us to let people who are living with mental health conditions know they are not alone and the government is providing important protections for people experiencing mental illness. A recent report from the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force includes a series of new actions and recommendations to ensure insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services is comparable to – or at parity with – general medical care because, just as with other illnesses, we can’t afford to neglect our mental health.

Mental illnesses take huge tolls on individuals and society as a whole. The annual direct and indirect economic costs of mental illnesses in the U.S., particularly untreated mental illnesses, are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions. Productivity and income are reduced, health care costs for other illnesses increase, and addiction, homelessness and disability rates increase. Most importantly, individuals and families suffer.

According to the most recent statistics, 43.4 million adults age 18 or older experienced some form of mental illness in the past year, and the CDC projects depression will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

Though disabling when symptoms persist, depression is treatable, and most Americans greatly improve with treatment, services and recovery supports. Signs of depression include experiencing some of the following, most of the day, for at least two weeks:

Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

Irritability

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

Decreased energy, or fatigue

Moving or talking more slowly

Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening or oversleeping

Appetite and/or weight changes

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.

Physical diseases like diabetes, arthritis or heart disease can increase your risk of depression. Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history, major life changes and where you live can also play a role in depression.

Help is available. If you or someone you love exhibits signs of depression or another mental illness, the first step is to get screened.

For 24-hour emotional support and referrals to treatment and recovery services anywhere in the state, call or visit the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511 or contact Washington Information Network 211 at 877-211-9274.

For providers near you, visit Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment Services Locator, or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Those contemplating suicide should call Idaho’s Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

The National Institute of Mental Health has a list of suggestions to help support treatment: Beyond Treatment: Things You Can Do. You can also find more information at SAMHSA’s website or at MentalHealth.gov.

Mental health is essential to overall health. Make mental health a priority.

Susan Johnson is the regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.