Hospital Corner: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
A graphic from Logan.org/letstalk says, "For the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 9-8-8 or text "MT" to 741-741. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1."
Did you know that Mental Health Awareness Month was first designated in 1949 due to an increase of mental illnesses among soldiers returning from World War II? Now, nearly three-quarters of a century later, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Additionally, the number of children and adolescents reporting poor mental health is increasing.
May is the time to recognize mental health as a health condition and talk about it. During this month check-in with your loved ones, as well as yourself, and take care of each other. By asking if someone is okay, or reaching out to others when we need help, we recognize that none of us are alone.
This month Logan Health launched a campaign in partnership with the Montana High School Association called, “Let’s Talk About It.” This campaign aims to encourage teens to reach out to someone and ask for help.
Both the Montana High School Association and Logan Health are sharing information on social media, and directing them to: logan.org/letstalk. There one can find resources including information about the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, “988.” The Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Once May ends, Logan Health will maintain this webpage to provide our community with information and links to information and resources for a variety of mental health issues.
In addition, Logan Health – Whitefish (LHW) continues its four-year partnership with the Nate Chute Foundation (NCF), a Flathead Valley-based organization dedicated entirely to support and education of mental wellness and reducing suicide. Their website, natechutefoundation.org also has resources for suicide prevention and coping with loss. Since 2019 Logan Health Whitefish has supported their work with an annual donation.
“We have seen the incredible need for behavioral health services in northwest Montana and meeting the mental health needs of our community remains a top priority for the Logan Health – Whitefish Foundation Board of Directors,” said LHW Foundation Executive Director Kalen Young. “It is through the generosity of our donors and their dedication to addressing this critical issue that we are able to provide the best in care for patients. We appreciate our donors for recognizing and supporting the efforts to prevent suicide and provide mental health resources to all in our community.”
In addition to creating a partnership with NCF, the LHW Foundation raised the funds to purchase and install TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) equipment for Logan Health Behavioral Health in Whitefish. TMS is a noninvasive treatment for adults that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and improve symptoms of depression. Since 2019 nearly 100 patients have completed a course of treatment with TMS at our clinic and have had life-changing results.
“To meet the growing need in our community, the Logan Health – Whitefish Foundation and our generous donors will purchase a second TMS system to provide this treatment to even more patients,” said Young.
New equipment and a second suite will be added to Logan Health Behavioral Health Whitefish later this year providing additional access to the service.
Riley Polumbus writes the monthly Hospital Corner column for the Whitefish Pilot and manages community relations for Logan Health – Whitefish at rpolumbus@logan.org.