According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of adults regularly experience stress. To what do you attribute these high numbers?
Stress is our body's natural reaction to everyday changes and challenges. Most people attribute stress to a negative reaction but there are good and bad types of stress. For example stress due to having a baby or graduating college creates stress stemming from positive changes. On the flip side, financial uncertainty, loss of job or divorce are examples of stress stemming from negative challenges. Given all adults experience day-to-day challenges, our stress responses are very normal reactions. It is how we deal with stress that becomes the focus in order to move forward in a mentally healthy way.
Why is it important to invest in one's mental health?
Mental health is just as important as investing in your physical health. Reducing the stigma around treating mental health really has allowed for us as a society to access and utilize mental health treatment more readily. Taking the time to seek out mental health treatment increases our ability to cope on a day-to-day basis, it makes our relationships more fulfilling and leads to a more positive outlook on life. Much like not addressing physical health symptoms like high blood pressure for instance leading to increased heart disease, not addressing mental health can affect not only our day-to-day lives but can also further complicate any physical ailments we are dealing with. Studies show that people with poor mental health have an increased likelihood of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
What are some practical ways in which individuals can reduce stress and improve their mental health?
Seeking out support through a mental health therapist for individual counseling or participating in a support group are great ways to reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Other ways include exercise, meditation, having a solid support system at work and home and finding a hobby that brings you joy such as painting, hiking, reading or yoga. It is easier said than done, but also prioritizing eating well and getting enough sleep can be a great thing to improve our overall mental wellbeing.
For those seeking additional help, why are Baptist Health's Behavioral Health Clinics a good option?
Baptist Health focuses on the care of the whole person — body, mind and spirit. This focus provides for true integrated care to ensure that we are treating physical and mental health together. Healthcare has come a long way to recognize the importance of treating both congruently. Our outpatient behavioral health clinics provide the full array of outpatient services including not only individual therapy, but also access to psychiatric physicians and APRNs that are able to assist when medication is needed.
What services do the clinics provide?
Our outpatient behavioral health clinics are located in both Little Rock and North Little Rock and provide licensed behavioral health therapists, counselors, APRNs and psychiatrists. Telehealth services are also available. Services are available to children, adolescents and adults.
Who can benefit from professional counseling?
Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from behavioral health counseling for concerns including sadness/depression, anxiety, coping with life changes, help with marital or familial relationships, substance abuse self or within family, trauma, PTSD and grief.
What has been the response from clients?
Clients who engage in behavioral health treatment often report relief and and improved sense of well being. Providing the space for clients to express their feelings and work through solutions with a therapist often leads to reports of better home and work life. Half the battle is acknowledging what is holding us back. Therapy gives us room for that expression as well as time to work through and proceed with a more full sense of self and life.
Baptist Health Behavioral Health Clinic - Little Rock is located at 11321 Mabelvale West Road, Suite 304. To schedule an appointment, call 501-202-7587. For more information on both the Little Rock and North Little Rock locations, visit baptist-health.com.
Taking the time to seek out mental health treatment increases our ability to cope on a day to day basis, it makes our relationships more fullfilling and leads to a more positive outlook on life.