Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health in 2024

As the end of the year approaches, it’s a good time to assess our priorities and understand how we can become healthier individuals. One of the best ways to do so is to consider mental health and how it impacts daily life. While mental health used to be a taboo subject, focusing on mental health has been much more top-of-mind for Americans in recent years, and mental health stigma is on the decline.

In this blog, we’ve outlined frequently asked questions so you can start to understand what exactly mental health is, how to take care of yourself, and how to support those in your community.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is an umbrella term that encompasses a person’s emotional, social, and psychological well-being and their ability to enjoy everyday life activities. Mental health affects every aspect of our lives–how we handle stress, respond to crises, maintain relationships with our family, friends, and co-workers, navigate work life, and even our physical well-being.

What is the Difference Between Mental and Emotional Health?

The difference between mental and emotional health is that mental health focuses on the overall functioning of the brain, while emotional health explores how we react through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

With emotional health, the way we feel impacts how we respond to both positive and negative events in life. If someone’s struggling with emotional health, they may have trouble sleeping, change their eating habits, or perform poorly at work or school.

Mental health can be the driving change behind emotional health. Our mental health can change how we process and comprehend information. If this is unwell, then it can lead to emotional health issues.

What is a Mental Health Disorder?

A mental health disorder is a diagnosed issue that affects the way that you think and behave. This is a significant disturbance that affects how you respond to everyday challenges, your actions, and how you process information. As of 2019, there were approximately 970 million people around the world living with a mental health disorder.

While there are over 200 mental health disorders, some of the most common types include:

• Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
• Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and brief psychotic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

How Many People Have Mental Health Issues?

Unfortunately, mental health issues are not uncommon. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 50% of all adults will suffer from a mental illness or disorder at some point throughout their lives and that one in five adults struggle with these psychological health issues in any given year. The CDC also estimates that 1 in 25 Americans live with a very serious mental illness such as major depression or bipolar disorder.

These are staggering numbers and help to paint a picture of just how pervasive these health issues are. At the same time, these numbers can reassure those who are struggling with mental health issues that they’re not alone in their struggles.

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Why is Mental Health Important?

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of mental health for both the individual and for society as a whole. In short, addressing mental health concerns puts individuals on firm footing in all aspects of their lives and, as individuals are the building blocks for a community, helps to form a strong society.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) lays out very clearly how mental illness can impact the individual and the community:

• Those suffering from depression have a 40% higher chance of developing heart disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America and the fact that so many Americans also suffer from mental illness is a correlation that shouldn’t be overlooked.
• In 2021, 7.6 % of adults had both a mental health and substance abuse disorder. This cycle can be self-perpetuating and lead to further psychological and physical issues.
• 21% of homeless Americans also have a serious mental health condition. This correlation cannot be ignored. The effort to end homelessness must also factor in the role that mental health plays in it.
• 2 in 5 incarcerated Americans suffer from mental health complications. As with homelessness, the effort to reduce the prison population and to reduce recidivism must address mental health.

Mental health is critically important due to how many aspects of an individual’s life it can impact. Sound mental health is the foundation for a healthy life.

When Is Mental Health Awareness Month?

First observed in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month happens each year in May. The main goal is to raise awareness not only of the prevalence of mental health issues in the world but also to help reduce the stigma that is associated with them.

Many non-profit and non-governmental organizations turn their focus to making sure that anyone who is struggling with mental health issues can get the help that they need when they need it. Be sure to check for hashtags on social media as well to show your support to your friends and family.

What Color is Mental Health Awareness?

Green is the color for mental health awareness, and these ribbons are typically worn during Mental Health Awareness Month in May and for Mental Illness Awareness Week, celebrated during the first week of October every year.

Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?

Medicare Part B (the portion of Medicare that governs medical insurance) does cover a variety of mental health services. These include services that fall under doctor’s visits and treatments that are performed outside of a hospital setting.

Per the Medicare website, these services include, but are not limited to:

• Psychiatrists or other medical doctors
• Clinical psychologist
• Clinical social worker
• Clinical nurse specialist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician Assistant
• And lab tests ordered by your doctor

Medical Part B may also cover partial hospital services and the following outpatient services:

• Annual depression screening
• Mental health evaluation
• Individual or group psychotherapy
• Family Counseling
• Testing to determine if current treatments are effective
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Medication management
• Diagnostic testing
• An annual wellness visit

Medicare can be a complex web of payment structures and this certainly applies to mental health services. Engaging a professional case manager is a good idea to learn how an individual’s specific situation is best handled.

How Has COVID-19 Affected Mental Health

The worldwide pandemic experienced in 2020 and 2021 was an unprecedented event for the vast majority of the world. In addition to the actual COVID-19 illness itself, the pandemic brought a host of challenging situations that harmed individual mental health.

Isolation and the disruption of the routine was a major factor that affected nearly everyone in the United States. As the pandemic ravaged its way across the country, state after state instituted mandatory lockdowns forcing people to work from home and shelter in place. Separation from family and friends took its toll on mental stability.

Anxiety and depression in particular took a hold on people during this period. For example, high school girls experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness rose by 10% between 2019 and 2021. The pandemic also increased the rates of substance abuse, and the overall drug death rate increased by 50% during that time.

Additionally, the pandemic had significant impacts on the economy and saw job losses and layoffs in record numbers. This placed millions of Americans in financial distress which can be a leading factor in mental health. For households with Americans who lost their jobs, 52.8% of adults experienced depression and anxiety, compared to the 29.6% who experienced the same symptoms but didn’t lose their jobs.

How to Improve Your Mental Health

Caring for and cultivating a healthy mental outlook is a life-long process that requires focus and the desire to be an active participant. There is a lot of variety in how severe each individual’s mental health diagnosis is and what is needed, but there are some common steps that can be taken toward achieving positive mental well-being.

1. Simply being aware of your mental health: The first step is actively acknowledging the state of your mental health. It is impossible to move forward with solutions if you aren’t willing to see what problems need to be addressed.
2. Educate yourself: Researching your mental health, what it is, the effects it has on you, what a healthy lifestyle looks like, and what potential solutions are available can go a long way toward achieving overall better mental health. Understanding what triggers specific emotions and reactions can lead to proactive solutions and avoiding those triggers. Educating yourself about how to speak about your mental health also enables you to fully take advantage of the help that is offered to you.
3. Seek out those who can help: Each passing year, the stigma of asking for help with mental health diminishes. This is a great trend! More and more, Americans are seeking to take ownership of their mental health and proactively maintain it. In most instances, help can be found by anyone who needs it and is likely covered by more insurance plans and providers. Therapy, medication, screenings, licensed mental health counselors, wellness visits, or a combination of all of these can all lead to a better mental health outlook.

Role of Organizations in Mental Health

Mental health organizations work with health professionals to provide a variety of services to local communities. These non-profit and charitable organizations play a large role in society’s effort to enrich individual lives through:

• Education: Mental health charitable organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, are a wealth of information in their communities about maintaining good mental health, identifying where help can be found, and how to find the right insurance and health coverage for each person’s specific situation. When wading into the depths of understanding health coverage and costs, you can’t be too educated.
• Political advocacy: These non-profit organizations are typically well established and have spent years making inroads toward advocating for funding and policies that will enhance mental health resources. Influencing public policy at the local, state, and federal levels is a tall order. These organizations are well-positioned to lobby politicians for the interest of the mental health field.
• Individual advocacy: Stepping down from the policy levels these organizations also excel at working on behalf of individuals who need a voice at the local level. Whether it is finding a counselor, acting on behalf of a client to insurance agencies, or helping organize one’s affairs, these organizations exist to help.

What Are Mental Health Services?

Mental health services help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives. There are a variety of services that are available to individuals depending on what their specific needs may be.

Mental health services can assist with depression, stress, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, anger management, substance abuse, grief counseling, and much more. Depending on the severity or type of need in these areas, different types of counseling may be engaged.

In mental health services, you’ll typically work with three different types of professionals:

1. Social workers help administer programs to enrich people’s lives and typically work under the umbrella of a non-profit or non-governmental agency. Social workers work with both individuals and families and can be found anywhere from public schools to churches to homeless shelters.
2. Psychiatrists are medical professionals who can diagnose mental disorders, help with psychiatric issues, and write prescriptions for medications that may aid in the healing process.
3. Psychologists work in clinical settings and use psychotherapy to help enrich individual’s lives.

What is a Mental Health Counselor?

A mental health counselor is a person who discusses symptoms with their clients and assesses what mental health illness may be causing it. Most counselors also complete psychotherapy, which is a series of hour or longer visits to comprehend underlying issues, address what causes stress and anxiety, and create a game plan to learn healthy coping strategies.

While some clinical social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists may work as mental health counselors, you may also see one of the following professionals for mental health services.

• LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor
• LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• LCADAC, Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor

What is a Mental Health Technician?

Also called a psychiatric technician or aide, a mental health technician works in a hospital or outpatient facility setting. They closely watch a patient’s condition and monitor their condition. They tend to do daily tasks with patients, such as ensuring that they take their medication, monitoring vital signs, and helping them eat or bathe. These patients may have a mental health disorder or could be recovering from a substance abuse disorder.

What is a Mental Health Evaluation?

A mental health evaluation (or assessment) typically consists of a series of questions asked by your doctor to determine a mental health illness. It’s a comprehensive exam with questions covering your mood, memory, and how you get along with others. Expect a physical exam, and there may be necessary lab tests as well.

What is Mental Health Counseling?

Mental health counseling, also called psychotherapy, is a service provided by trained professionals to help people deal with issues that negatively impact their daily lives. These can be related to a wide variety of life areas and stages, such as work, school, behavioral, emotional, marital, and more. Together, the professional and the client develop treatment and coping strategies to address mental health issues. In the United States, around 9% of adults receive counseling or therapy from a mental health professional per year.

What is a Mental Health Crisis?

A mental health crisis occurs when someone’s behavior may cause them to hurt themselves or someone else. Additionally, they cannot take care of their own needs or participate in society. Mental health crises typically happen when a stressor becomes out of control. This could include something from work, a relationship, the home, alcohol or drug abuse, or living through extremely stressful situations, such as a terrorist attack.

Signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis include:

• They’re unable to complete daily care routines, such as brushing teeth or hair
• Sudden changes in mood, becoming withdrawn, or bouts of extreme happiness or calm after a wave of depression
• Acts of violence and verbal threats
• Paranoia and inability to stay in touch with reality
• Extreme isolation
• Abuses themselves and other people

What is the Mental Health Hotline?

The mental health hotline is a 24/7 service provided by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to assist people experiencing suicidal thoughts. To get help, just call or text 988. They also offer online chat on their website.

If you’re not in a moment of crisis and just need some mental health help, NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers help and support from Monday Through Friday, 10 A.M. – 10 P.M., ET. Call them at 1-800-950-6264. You can also text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email them at [email protected]. They also offer a chat feature on their website to secure help as well.

Find additional helplines for other mental health issues and services at the American Psychological Association’s website.

What is Case Management in Mental Health?

Cultivating a strong mental health regime can be challenging. The past several decades have seen the emergence of mental case management services as a tool that non-profit and non-governmental agencies use to organize plans for their clients.

Case managers working in the mental health field are tasked with working to better the lives of their clients. Whether it is depression, anxiety, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or any other of a multitude of diagnoses, case managers guide and coach their clients in navigating not only their personal and professional lives but also the often murky waters of health care and health insurance.

The health care and health insurance landscape is challenging enough for those not battling a mental health crisis. For those who are struggling with mental stability, some of the hurdles of getting the right help are simply insurmountable. Case managers are trained professionals who excel in guiding and organizing the path to wellness.

What Are Common Tasks in Mental Health Case Management?

Mental health case managers’ caseloads find them working on a lot of different problems all at the same time. These case management professionals are trained to work on a variety of tasks and be ready to shuffle priorities as needed.

Some of the common tasks associated with this work include:

• Creating client plans: This is the roadmap to a client’s success. Mental health case managers work directly with clients to develop a plan to address their needs and help them live healthier and more successful lives.
• Assessing client needs upon intake: The first thing that a mental health services manager will do is gather as much information about a client as possible and work to identify specific needs. This is critical as it informs the plan that is set into motion.
• Managing voluminous paperwork: A comprehensive mental health plan will generate a tremendous amount of paperwork. Insurance documentation, meeting notes, medical records, etc. all help paint a picture of the client’s situation and must be meticulously kept.
• Performing home visits and follow-up: One-on-one time with the client is essential. Regular in-home visits help mental health case management professionals assess the current needs of a client.

Mental Health and a Healthy Life

Sound mental health is a key component to a healthier life. The good news is that over the years, we’ve seen positive trends in the resources available to help individuals with mental health and a decline in the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Countless non-profit, charitable, and non-governmental organizations exist for the express purpose of prioritizing the mental health of those who are in need. There are professionally trained case managers and mental health case management software platforms designed to develop a plan for success and see it through.

Mental health struggles are certainly intimidating but fortunately, resources for helping people achieve healthy and productive lives have never been more abundant.