Behavioral Health is described by the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) as:
- the promotion of mental health, resilience, and wellbeing;
- the treatment of mental and substance use disorders;
- the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.
Mental and substance use disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability in the United States. According to SAMHSA substance use and mental disorders can make daily activities difficult and impair a personâs ability to work, interact with family, and fulfill other major life functions. Preventing mental and/or substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders and related problems is critical to behavioral and physical health. For these reasons the Sierra Kings Health Care District is dedicated to investing in strategies that promote behavioral health awareness, education, prevention and supports in our community. Behavioral Health starts with you. Making time to check in with yourself, to assess your physical and emotional needs, is an essential part of living well.
So, join the movement to LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!!!
For information about General Health, visit our General Health and Wellness Page
Mental Health
Substance Abuse
Mental Health
Mental Health
Poor mental health can present in a variety of ways and may impact our emotional, psychological, and social well-being (Centers for Disease Control). In turn, this may affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental Health is important for overall health and well-being.
The good news is people with mental illness can be treated or even recover. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need. If you know someone struggling with mental health, you can help by reaching out and letting them know help is available, helping them access mental health services, and learning and sharing the facts about mental health with them.
FACTS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
- Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. About 1 in 5 American adults and children will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.
- Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak. Contributing factors include biological factors, stressful or traumatic life events, family history of mental health problems and use of alcohol or drugs. As physical health and mental health are interrelated, even long-lasting chronic health conditions may cause mental illness.
- Poor mental health increases the risk for chronic physical conditions like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 15-34 in the United States. In 2020, it accounted for the loss of more than 45,979 American lives, nearly double that of lives lost to homicide.
- Most people with mental illness are not violent. In fact, they are more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don’t even realize it, because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities.
- Half of all mental illness occurs before a person turns 14 years old, and three-quarters of mental illness begin before age 24.
- Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.
- Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both.
- Promoting the social-emotional well-being of children and youth leads to: Higher overall productivity, better educational outcomes, lower crime rates, stronger economies, lower health care costs, improved quality of life, increased lifespan, and improved family life.
QUICK TIPS
Care for yourself one small way each day and maintain positivity by considering the following:- Take breaks to relax and unwind through yoga, music, reading, gardening, and exploring a new hobby.
- Find new ways to safely connect with family and friends, get support, and share feelings.
- Take care of your body and get moving to lessen fatigue, anxiety, or sadness. Try doing something you enjoy outside, like going to the park or jogging.
- Treat yourself to healthy foods and get enough sleep.
- Stay positive and practice mindfulness.
- Engage in meaningful daily activities such as a job or school, volunteering, caring for others.
- Create a stable and safe place to live.
- Remember you are not alone. Seek professional help if you need it. Determine if your symptoms are severe. My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? âPDF hereâ Warning Signs and Symptoms Video https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
WATCH THESE VIDEOS- Learn more about specific mental health problems such as suicidal behavior, eating disorders, personality disorder, etc. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for
- https://988lifeline.org/
Substance Abuse
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities, significantly contributing to problems such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, domestic violence, child abuse, motor vehicle crashes, crime, suicide, failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home, lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, and mental health conditions. According to SAMHSA, the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
The good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable, treatable, or manageable. Parents, teachers, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction. Helping people understand the possible risks of drug use is imperative for our communityâs overall health and well-being.
STATISTICS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities, significantly contributing to problems such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, domestic violence, child abuse, motor vehicle crashes, crime, suicide, failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home, lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, and mental health conditions. According to SAMHSA, the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
The good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable, treatable, or manageable. Parents, teachers, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction. Helping people understand the possible risks of drug use is imperative for our communityâs overall health and well-being.
STATISTICS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year. Thatâs about 1,300 deaths every day.
- Alcohol is the #1 abused substance in America. According to the CDC, 29 people in the United States die daily in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 50 minutes.Â
- Marijuana remains the most popular illicit drug among high school students. It is causing long-term effects on brain development and mental illness. Marijuana products (including CBD) are being marketed as treatments for many conditions for which there is insufficient or no evidence of their safety or effectiveness.
- In 2019, an estimated 70,630 people died from a drug-involved overdose in the United States. The most common drugs associated with these fatal overdoses were synthetic opioids, including the highly potent synthetic opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (Molly), fentanyl may be ingested unknowingly in unknown quantities, leading to an overdose. In 2020, fentanyl overdose deaths nearly doubled in teens.
- Drug addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. Quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. With treatment and medication, recovery is possible.
- Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Like any other chronic disease, such as diabetes or asthma, relapse is possible if you stop taking your medicine or do not change your lifestyle.Â
- No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors can make a person more susceptible to addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. No one plans to be addicted and is immune to this disease, regardless of race, education, geography, social, economic, or other circumstances. However, no one is a lost cause.
- Convince yourself of the reasons not to use drugs – Besides all the complications listed above, taking drugs is risky. It has short and long-term effects, including psychotic behavior, seizures, coma, brain damage, and even death. Only you can decide for yourself how your future will look.Â
- Avoid Peer Pressure – Develop healthy friendships and relationships with people who do not pressure you to use substances. Visit this website above the influence for information on how recognizing the influences in your life make it easier for you to make important choices.
- Just Say No â Prepare and practice a plan ahead of time to keep you from giving in to pressure when offered a substance. Watch the video âhow to say no when offered drugs and alcohol belowâ for ideas.Â
- Seek Professional Help â If you are coping with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental illness, you should seek professional help who will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms and deter you from using a substance to self-medicate. Although some drugs may temporarily help with some mental disorder symptoms, they may worsen them over time.
- Know your risk for addiction â Several factors, such as the family history of addiction, mental health disorders, peer pressure, lack of family involvement, and early use, may contribute to the development of drug addiction. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental, and physical risks for addiction, the more likely you are to overcome them.Â
- Learn preventative strategies – Help buffer youth from risky behavior – Visit the CDC website for more information on parent/family engagement, family support, parental disapproval of substance use, parental monitoring, and school connectedness. Watch the video âTalk. They Hear Youâ below on the importance of talking to your kids about substance abuse.
- Learn the symptoms of drug use and addiction â Become familiar with the signs of addiction and behaviors of unhealthy drug use. Watch for withdrawal from friends and family, behavior changes, high tolerance development, withdrawal symptoms, and feeling like you need a drug to function. Visit the Mayo Clinic website to learn more.The sooner you seek help for yourself or a loved one, the greater the chances are for long-term recovery.
CHECK OUT THESE LINKS
- Use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to find treatment near you: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/.
- Use this link to find activities, videos, and materials that help promote mindfulness and teach teens how to practice health-enhancing behaviors. This can support better stress management and reduce the chances of exploring substance use as an alternative. Nurturing My Mental & Emotional Health.
- Supporting a loved one dealing with mental and substance use disorders. Starting the Conversation PDF.
- Teens get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Log into Kahoot, featuring games, articles, and videos! https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teens/games
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
- https://www.samhsa.gov/
- https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmotorvehiclesafety%2Fimpaired_driving%2Fimpaired-drv_factsheet.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921
- https://abovetheinfluence.com/
- https://www.pvamu.edu/sa/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-prevention-program-daapp/tips-for-preventing-substance-abuse/