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Let’s Talk About Mental Health How much effort do you focus on your mental health? Do you talk about it with your family and friends as easily as you do about your latest annual physical? May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so maybe it’s time? Mental Health Is More Than Psychological Your mental health includes your emotional, social and psychological well-being. Together, they affect how you think, feel, and act, says SAMHSA , the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. How you — and everyone — handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, are all affected by your mental health. Ripple Effect of Mental Health Issues While your mental health is as important on its own, you may not realize how else mental health issues can impact your life, such as: • People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. • A third of U.S. adults with mental illness also had a substance abuse disorder in 2021. • High school students with significant depression symptoms are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers. Healthy Well-Being Begins Early You may be surprised to learn that half of all mental health disorders show before a person turns 14 years old and three-fourths begin before age 24, says SAMHSA. Signs to watch for in adults and adolescents may include: • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns • Not performing daily tasks or handling daily problems • Not wanting to hang out with friends or family • Fighting a lot with family and friends; not controlling emotions • Having low or no energy, or feeling hopeless • Feeling confused, forgetful, edgy, angry, upset, worried, or scared • Wanting to harm yourself or others • Smoking or drinking excessively If you feel or see one or more of these signs, you may want to discuss with your primary care doctor or contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for resources near you. You can contact them directly by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting "HelpLine" to 62640 or emailing them at helpline@nami.org . Self-Care Tips for Improving Your Mental Well-Being When struggling with your mental health, in addition to seeking outside help, here are some actions to take: • Stick to a treatment plan; don’t change it without a doctor’s guidance, and keep your primary care physician updated. • Control stress with activities such as meditation or yoga; eat healthy and exercise; and get enough sleep. • Reach out to family and friends for support and help. • Get closer to nature as it can have a calming effect. Take a walk. • Plan things to look forward to doing or people to be seeing. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please chat, call or text 988.
Orthopedics is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves—essentially everything that helps the body move and function properly. Whether it's a sports injury, arthritis, spinal disorder, or a congenital condition, orthopedic care helps people maintain mobility and live pain-free lives.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, affecting millions of lives each year. Amidst busy schedules and daily distractions, it’s easy to overlook the importance of heart health. February, recognized as American Heart Month, serves as a reminder to prioritize cardiovascular well-being and spread awareness about preventing heart disease.
Headaches are a common experience, affecting almost everyone at some point. But for some, headaches can be much more severe and debilitating, taking the form of migraines. While both headaches and migraines cause head pain, they differ significantly in their characteristics, causes, and treatment approaches.
Spring often marks the beginning of a new sports season for young athletes, filled with excitement, competition, and the opportunity to learn and grow. However, with increased activity comes the potential for injuries. By prioritizing injury prevention and overall well-being, you can confidently enter the season, reach your full potential, and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
The ICU, short for Intensive Care Unit, is a specialized department within a hospital designed to provide critical care to patients facing life-threatening conditions. It's the frontline where medical professionals deploy advanced technologies and vigilant monitoring to navigate the delicate balance between life and the unknown.
Have you ever grappled with that stubborn, nagging back pain that just refuses to give in? Chances are, you've come across terms like "bulging disc" and "herniated disc" at some point. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do they vary from one another?
Let's unravel the distinctions between a bulging disc and a herniated disc, shedding light on how they can impact your life and how to find relief in both situations.

Aging gracefully is more than just physical well-being; it encompasses the delicate realm of senior behavioral health. Read on as we delve into a domain dedicated to nurturing the mental and emotional welfare of older adults, a demographic too often sidelined in discussions about mental health. To understand the profound relationship between mental and physical health, it's imperative that we recognize the significance of addressing the mental well-being of our seniors.
Taking care of your overall health with regular checkups is important. For women, preventative care through wellness checkups is essential. Do you know that it is highly recommended to have at least one annual exam? Catching and addressing health problems early is always safer and more cost-effective.
When it comes to surgeries, you’ve probably heard about the two main types: inpatient and outpatient. These terms help classify procedures based on the care given and how long you, as a patient, need to stay for recovery.
Want to learn more about the differences between inpatient and outpatient surgery? Then read on as we go into each more, as well as the benefits for both.
As summer winds down and kids prepare to head back to school, parents need to make sure they're ready not just with school supplies but also with important health preparations. Back-to-school annual physicals and immunizations are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of children as they return to the classroom, no matter what grade they are about to begin.
Breathing is something we often take for granted, but for those with respiratory illnesses, it can be a daily struggle. Respiratory care plays a crucial role in helping these patients manage their conditions and improve their quality of life. From neonatal care to pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory therapy offers a wide range of specialized treatments to meet the unique needs of each patient.