It’s exceedingly common in our modern healthcare system to treat physical and mental health as two separate issues. Although we are steadily improving on accepting an all-encompassing agreement of treating them together, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Today’s approach does not allow for the proper tracking of a patient’s mental health among providers. Not only do mental health struggles increase the likelihood of suffering from physical health conditions, such as heart disease, but they also create a vicious cycle in emergency departments, hospital admissions, and out-of-network referrals.

A continuum of care for behavioral health is the next step in improving the outcome of patients as well as the overflow of individuals needing to be seen for preventable issues within our healthcare system.

As with any health condition, early detection of behavioral health issues contains a better prognosis if diagnosed and treated in its beginning stages.

Preventative care for mental health is vital for living a long and healthy life. If left untreated, some mental health conditions can increase the chances of:

-Respiratory disease
-Cancer
-Heart disease

Although the exact science behind this is still being researched, preliminary data indicates that one reason behind this staggering statistic is that those struggling with their mental health are much less likely to be seen by a physician for routine exams. This leads to problematic physical ailments—such as obesity, cholesterol, and blood pressure—remaining unchecked. Furthermore, unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking or drinking, are often used to the detriment of the patient’s health.

Feeling down during the summer may bring a form of loneliness. After all, it’s common to see joyous social posts bragging about vacations, barbeques, and cherished memories being made during the summer.

So why does it seem like your mental health takes a nosedive mid-year?

Imposter syndrome—or IS—is a phenomenon that can affect anyone of any age. However, this syndrome is most prominently seen in high-achieving individuals. Those that experience this have difficulty internalizing their abilities and successes, thus they begin feeling self-doubt. This leads to high levels of anxiety, depression, and apprehension in their work.

Despite evidence to suggest the contrary, people struggling with imposter syndrome feel like frauds. They begin to believe a false narrative about themselves that suggests they do not deserve any rewards or recognition they have received and think that their achievements must be short-lived and due only to luck.

“You are what you eat.”

By now you’ve probably heard that hundreds of times throughout your life. However, it turns out that it’s not just a quirky saying—it’s actually true.

It makes perfect sense when you think about it: Your brain is working 24/7 to control everything inside your body. And, in order to do that, it needs fuel. You can either fuel up your brain with high-premium fuel (nutritious) or low-premium fuel (processed). Eating high-quality foods—such as fruits and vegetables—nourishes your brain with vitamins and minerals, whereas eating low-quality foods—such as refined sugars—promotes inflammation.

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), approximately six million people in the United States suffer from panic attacks or panic disorder — both of which are classified under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. Panic attack symptoms are most commonly seen in women and individuals in their 20s. However, it can affect anyone.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Organizations from around the country use this month to bring awareness and resources through conversations, testimonies, and resources. Through nationwide advocacy, we have seen an improvement in the stigmatization of mental health conditions, however, the percentage of Americans suffering still remains high.

There are many external factors that can determine one’s mood, such as the weather, relationships, and finances. However, there are also four natural chemicals produced by your brain that also play a large role.

These are:

1. Endorphins

2. Dopamine

3. Serotonin

4. Oxytocin

These hormones, called neurotransmitters, communicate with other parts of the brain when released. During this process, your brain receives signals to calm you down, feel the sensation of love, or even experience euphoria.

Have you been feeling stressed lately? Maybe even a little anxious or depressed?

While some individuals find that exercise, creative outlets, or talking with a friend helps to increase their mood, others are decompressing through the acts of cleaning and organizing. As a matter of fact, there is clinical evidence that supports the claim that cleaning can uplift your spirits and give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

When we feel like our emotions are out of control, cleaning and organizing most certainly is within our scope of control. Researchers claim that this may be the reason why so many of us feel calm and liberated afterward.

You have probably heard the expression, “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

A saying commonly associated with being in a bad mood, there’s more clinical factuality than you may think. Our sleep patterns and quality of sleep directly correlate with our daily attitudes and have links to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Moreover, a lack of sleep may worsen pre-existing mental health conditions.

It is estimated that anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of psychiatric patients report chronic sleep deprivation in comparison to 10 to 18 percent of overall adults in the United States. (Reference 1). Although poor sleep and/or insomnia—as well as mental health disorders—are all complex issues that researchers are still actively studying, there appears to be strong evidence that improving one’s sleep may also improve psychiatric disorders.

Mental health issues are among the leading issues causing stress, overwhelm, and anxiety in US adults today.

Struggles with mental health affect our everyday life, and can lead to poor:

• Job performance

• Engagement

• Communication

• Daily functioning

Those with mental health disorders also have to take care of their physical health. And the cost of treatment for co-existing health issues is approximately two to three times more costly than for those without that hurdle.

If one positive came from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the magnification of the importance of addressing employees’ mental health concerns. The stigma that surrounds speaking about these issues has become outdated. Employers are now encouraging employees to receive the help they need—unashamedly—and are offering resources to do so.