Destigmatizing Mental Health

Destigmatizing Mental Health

By Amanda Ten Napel, LMFT, CEAP, SAP,
Owner of Interconnections Therapy, LLC, in Sibley, IA

The year of 2024 marks the 75^th year that May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month.  A lot has changed in those 75 years in the mental health field, but unfortunately, much of the stigma remains when it comes to seeking help. 

According to the most recent research from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) from 2020, 1 in 5 adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year and suicide was the leading cause of death in the United States.  Other studies have identified that over 50% of individuals will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime.  However, in the year 2020, only 10.1% of adults received therapy from a mental health professional.  People avoid or put off seeking treatment due to fears about being treated or looked at differently, or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood.

Outside of mental health conditions, therapy services are also important for those individuals that may be dealing with a recent loss in their life, family conflict, feeling overwhelmed in their everyday lives, or just need a neutral person to talk to.  These individuals tend to identify the same fears of seeking help.

Also, in my experience, individuals do not know what to expect out of mental health therapy.  This prevents them from reaching out and learning more.  With so many roadblocks, education is important.  If you would like to learn more about mental health and what mental health therapy entails, please make plans to attend my Lunch and Learn at noon on May 22^nd, which will be held in the Multi-purpose Room at Osceola Regional Health Center (ORHC).  Click here to reserve your lunch!

Interconnections Therapy is partnering with ORHC, OsCo Nutrition and The Lantern Coffeehouse and Roastery for a Better Together Campaign for the Month of May. This campaign started with the partnership between Sioux Center Health and Promise Community Health Center and has grown! The goal of this campaign is to normalize mental health so we can start having those hard conversations and hopefully get help to those who are struggling silently. You don’t have to go through things alone because we are all better together. #bettertogether #bettertogethersc