Addressing the Stigma of Mental Health

May is mental health awareness month and during the coronavirus pandemic, taking care of one's mental health has become a challenge for many people.

Dr. Dave Miers, director of Behavioral Health at Bryan Health in Lincoln, says mental health is just as important as physical health.

“It’s very important that everybody take their mental health and make mental health a priority, just like they make their physical health a priority,” he said. “With our mental health and our physical health, putting both of those things together, and making them a priority, that makes a happy person.”

Dr. Miers says mental health screenings are increasing, even for youth ages 11 – 17, although 60 percent of this age group do not seek help for anxiety or depression.

Ashley Yates is a patient at Bryan Health and she explains how her life improved by seeing a mental health specialist.

“For me, it was one of the best things that I’ve done for myself because it has helped me to be able to be a better mom and wife. There’s a lot of benefits to getting help for it,” Yates said.

There can be many causes of mental health imbalance. Dr. Miers wants to assure people reasons for anxiety or depression are usually normal, but that doesn’t mean someone should fight through it alone.