2018-10-22T07:01:00
(BPT) – According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States is dealing with a mental illness, and one in 25 adults lives with a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with daily activities.
While anyone can develop a mental illness, those at a low-income are particularly vulnerable. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2.5 million adults living below the poverty line have a serious mental illness. This problem is particularly alarming in Florida, where nearly 62 percent of adults with a mental health condition do not receive treatment.
Due to some Floridians’ inability to receive proper mental health treatment, too many end up in emergency rooms or even jail. In fact, according to a report from Treatment Advocacy Center, the likelihood of an incarceration versus hospitalization for those with serious mental illness in Florida is nearly five to one.
While proper treatment is important for anyone battling a mental illness, it can be especially critical for low-income individuals, many of whom receive coverage from Medicaid. According to Staywell Health Plan, a Medicaid provider in Florida, we need to address serious mental illness by focusing on the whole person, including the biological, social and psychological factors that can affect the condition. That includes improved access to behavioral healthcare and assistance with social issues that can undermine overall well-being.
According to Staywell, there are three keys to improving overall mental health and well-being for Floridians, especially for low-income populations on Medicaid:
- Address the Stigma: There has always been a stigma around mental health, which may make people dealing with it embarrassed to come out and proactively seek the treatment they need. Education, communication and compassion are key to breaking down this stigma.
- Improve Access to Mental Health Programs: Many people with mental health issues neglect to seek out treatment when they need it most. There are numerous programs in communities across the state that can help these individuals identify their mental health needs earlier and help them initiate and maintain proper treatment. Staywell, for example, offers online emotional support programs for those dealing with the early signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and sleep problems that are free and easy to access. Consequently, with early identification and intervention, Staywell has seen a decrease in behavioral health admissions and readmissions.
- Go Beyond Healthcare: By building a bridge between healthcare and social services, we can begin to address individuals’ non-clinical needs that prevent them from getting mental health treatment. There are a number of social support services available in local communities that may assist patients with rides to doctors’ appointments and medication utilities, among others.
Staywell offers a Community Connections Help Line to help connect callers with local support resources. For help, call 866-775-2192, where someone is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).
