mental health in america
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Colorado HealthStory is working to create an appreciation of our shared experiences of health, one conversation at a time. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
PowerPoint Presentation
Colorado HealthStory is working to create an appreciation of our shared experiences of health, one conversation at a time.
Everyone has a health story to tell; the joyous birth of a baby, the moving experience of sitting with a dying parent, a journey of remarkable healing, the daily reality of living with diabetes, the perspective gained from providing health care. Since its launch in early 2011, Colorado HealthStory has collected over 100 stories from residents across Colorado about their experiences with health. From these stories, several common health experiences emerged. A prominent theme among these stories was mental health. Throughout the state Coloradans spoke about their experiences and those of individuals they care about in relation to recognizing mental health needs and experiences interacting with mental health providers.
Mental Health in America
Everyone is vulnerable to conditions of poor mental health or mental illness regardless of socioeconomic status or community of friends and family.
In addition to these figures on prevalence of mental illness in America there are a number of other indicators and instances that relate to higher rates of mental illness. Some of these include individuals experiencing homelessness. An estimated one-third of the approximately 600,000 Americans who are homeless on any given night have serious mental illnesses and more than one-half also have substance use disorders. (Source: Mental Health America of Colorado; http://www.mhacolorado.org/file_depot/0-10000000/30000-40000/31946/folder/76279/Homelessness.pdf) Additionally, individuals who have served in the military are also at high risk of experiencing mental illness. Mental health cases among war veterans, including PTSD, drug and alcohol dependency and depression, grew by 58 percent from 63,767 in 2006 to 100,580 in 2007, VA records show. (Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness; http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=mental_illnesses1)
Mental Health in Colorado
3 out of 10 Coloradans, or 1.5 millions Coloradans, need behavioral health care. 1In 2010 about 52,000 children live with serious mental health conditions in Colorado.21 out of 12 Coloradans are in severe need of behavioral health care.Colorado ranks sixth among states for its rate of suicide. 1In 2007, Colorado ranked 32nd nationally for publicly funded mental health. 12009 marked the highest single year total of deaths related to suicide since over a decade.1Approximately 790,000 Coloradans are uninsured. 2 Underinsurance limits ones ability to access mental health care.
1Source: The Status of Behavioral Health in Colorado, http://www.coloradomentalhealth.org/2011-status-report2Source: NAMI, http://www.nami.org/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm?ContentFileID=93483
Three out of ten Coloradans mental health needs range from individuals with mild depression to those with severe, often very complex, needs.
Where are our Providers?
As ChiefExecutive Officer of theMental Health Center of Denver(MHCD) he leads the organizationin focusing on what people can do, not what they cant do. Colorado is in need of more psychiatrists like Dr. Clark, especially in the rural and frontier areas. As a state we must reorganize and revise the behavioral health and primary care workforces outside of the metro Denver and Colorado Springs areas.
1Source: Colorado HealthStory Blog, http://coloradohealthstory.org/1319/a-sons-career/2Source: The Colorado Health Institute, http://www.cpt12.org/news/index.php/study-30-percent-of-coloradans-need-mental-health-care/
Where are our Providers?
Time has passed since these statistics were collected. How do you think the state of mental health in Colorado exists today in contrast to this data?
1Source: Colorado HealthStory Blog, http://coloradohealthstory.org/1319/a-sons-career/2Source: The Colorado Health Institute, http://www.cpt12.org/news/index.php/study-30-percent-of-coloradans-need-mental-health-care/
Durango, CO
MarianaAurora, CO
JeffSilverthorne, CO
LisaLa Junta, CO
What were the highlights of this story?
How did you feel as you were listening to this story?
Why was it important for you to hear this story?
What will you tell your family and friends about this story?
Improving Your Mental Health
There are many proven strategies for managing your mental health. Some tips from Mental Health of America of Colorado include:
1.Be realistic about the amount of responsibilities you can handle at once2.Meditate 3.Take on one task at a time4.Exercise regularly 5.Take up a hobby6.Eat a balanced diet1 If these techniques do not help relieve stress or other conditions of poor mental health one can reach out to a friend, family member, a trusted individual in a support role for support, or a mental health professional. 1Source: Mental Health America of Colorado, http://www.mhacolorado.org/file_depot/0-10000000/30000-40000/31946/folder/76279/Stress.pdf
Join the conversation about health in your community.
Decisions about your health are too important and too personal to be left solely to others. Sign up to share your health story, and we can help make your voice heard.JeffHealthStorySummit County2011188797.55eng - iTunNORM 0000003C 00000042 00000DA2 00001275 00016F58 0001B905 00003A31 00004840 0002D61F 0002D61Feng - iTunSMPB 00000000 00000210 00000770 00000000007F0000 00000000 002E0A20 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000LisaHealthStoryRocky Ford2011-08-20T12:17177877.3 - 00000000 00000210 000006F0 0000000000990000 00000000 003778D2 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000www.coloradohealthstory.org | [email protected]