The number of people with a mental disorder of some kind is more significant than most people might expect. We’re not referring to major disorders like schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder. Instead, we are talking about common mental disorders like depression, bipolar, and anxiety. While these types of disorders might not sound all that threatening, they can do damage to a person’s quality of life. The fact that too few people understand the truth about mental illnesses is exactly why Mental Health Awareness month matters.
About Mental Health Awareness Month
Amazingly, the idea for designating certain time frames to promote mental health awareness first came about in the 1940s. It started as a weekly observance and eventually, it morphed into the inclusion of the whole month of May. In 2013, former President Barack Obama signed a proclamation, officially confirming May as National Mental Health Awareness Month.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the principal promoters helping to bring exposure to this vital cause. As part of the observance, mental health groups all over the country provide information about fighting stigma, offering support, educating the public, and advocating for policies related to mental health issues. The target group for these efforts is the people suffering from a mental illness and their families.
Treating Mental Health
If Mental Health Awareness Month is effective, hundreds of thousands of people will hopefully seek help. Help usually comes in the form of counseling and therapy from licensed counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. If the individual also struggles with addiction, addiction counselors might recommend dual diagnosis treatment. That’s where counselors and mental health professionals work together to provide treatment that targets both issues simultaneously. In an addiction treatment environment, the treatment professionals will use resources like a trauma therapy program. Failure to treat both conditions at the same time opens the door for the untreated condition to cause a relapse.
Our Mission at Casa Palmera
Casa Palmera serves the West Los Angeles area. We offer a diverse range of treatment options for clients who are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. When the client exhibits signs of mental health issues, we can provide dual diagnosis treatment. The only caveat is we only initiate such treatment if addiction is the primary condition. Here’s some additional information about our facility and services:
- In-network provider with Anthem, Aetna and Cigna
- We offer a medically managed detox program
- We will not release patients on medication unless it’s for a mental disorder
- Residential and outpatient care options
- Our programs are 12 steps based
As Mental Health Awareness Month looms, we hope you see it as an opportunity to seek help for addiction. The last thing you want is to allow your addiction to create mental health issues and vice versa. For more information about the services at Casa Palmera, contact us today.
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