{"id":144836,"date":"2025-05-30T19:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T19:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/144836\/"},"modified":"2025-05-30T19:00:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T19:00:55","slug":"overcoming-the-mental-health-stigma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/144836\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming the mental health stigma"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOGAN \u2014\u00a0It can affect people of all ages, and Utah\u2019s mental health rate remains higher than the national average.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is like any other medical condition or concern. We have to talk about it,\u201d said Regina Dickinson, a licensed clinical social worker at the Intermountain Health Dayspring Clinic. \u201cBecause we have this stigma built around it, people don\u2019t talk about it. We need to feel comfortable talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year\u2019s theme is \u201cTurn Awareness into Action.\u201d Dickinson said we \u201ctake action\u201d by watching for withdrawal or disengagement in those around us.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of times people will become quiet,\u201d she said. \u201cMaybe you were meeting with your friends once a month for lunch, and all of a sudden you haven\u2019t seen somebody in a couple of weeks. That is one of the biggest signs is that isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n

When talking to a loved one, ask open-ended questions, such as, \u201cWhat\u2019s been going on lately?\u201d and actively listen to their response.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust listen, and say, \u2018I can be here for you.\u2019 I know it makes some of us scared because we don\u2019t know what to do in that situation. But once again, just listen. That\u2019s what somebody needs,\u201d Dickinson said. \u201cIf you can do that component, then you\u2019re on the step to guiding them to the help that they may need.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can offer to help them find resources, but don\u2019t push them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes people aren\u2019t ready to seek that outside help<\/a>, but you can be a support,\u201d Dickinson said. \u201cMaybe take them to a yoga class or even take them for a walk. We know nature is amazing for reducing stress and reducing anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Breaking Barriers: Seeking help for mental health \u2013 a special documentary on KSL<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dickinson also noted the importance of setting healthy boundaries. \u201cSometimes we give so much of ourselves that we have nothing yet left for ourselves,\u201d she said. \u201cWe need to set those healthy boundaries and say, \u2018Okay, I do want to help in these situations, and this is how far I can help and this is what I can do for others.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Suicide Prevention Resources
\nIf you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text or chat the\u00a0988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0988<\/b>\u00a0which is answered 24\/7\/365 by crisis counselors at the\u00a0Huntsman Mental Health Institute<\/a>. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.
\nAdditional resources<\/strong><\/p>\n