Awareness of mental health issues

In 1949, the United States Congress declared May to be Mental Health Awareness Month to raise public awareness and public discourse about the prevalence of mental illness in society. At the time, Congress was rightfully concerned by the large number of men who were found unfit for military service when applying to serve in World War II. More than 1.8 million men were denied admission into the Armed Forces due to mental health issues.

Note this figure does not include those servicemen who later struggled with Shell-Shock Syndrome (now called Post-Traumatic Stress) as a result of experiences of the war. Considering that May is also a time that we remember the many heroic sacrifices made of servicemen and women, we should also rightfully remember those men and women who as a result of war sacrificed some of their long-term mental tranquility on our behalf.

For the first time in Dutchess County history (so I am told), the Dutchess County Legislature proclaimed May to be Mental Health Awareness Month via a resolution that I cosponsored alongside Beacon Legislator Alison MacAvery. As a society we still have a long ways to go toward the day when stigma and bias against the mentally ill is completely alleviated.

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At one extreme are those who have a chronic diagnosis of schizophrenia, bi-polar, or high-level anxiety or long-term depression. While challenged day-in and day-out by conditions that most of us could never imagine — let alone learn to cope with — such persons are able to live such high-functioning lives today that most of us would never suspect they struggled with a mental health diagnosis. To them, hope and community acceptance is often just as important as medication and therapy.

Then there are those for whom mental health issues are less chronic and often-times caused by situations or lifestyle changes, such as the situational worry associated with job loss or a bad relationship break-up. To these people, hope and social acceptance is important but medication and therapy can also be invaluable. Those who struggle in this respect should seek out professional help and not let hidden biases towards the chronically ill prevent them from getting help for themselves.

Most common is the depression each of us feels when we question that fundamental question of philosophy, whether life has any meaning? Where void of purpose or a reason for being exist there could be the danger of suicide.

There are more than 32,000 suicides in our country a year — two times the number of homicides. The best way to fend off these feelings is find ways to make life meaningful — join a club, explore a hobby, set a goal, call up an old friend, put faith in God.

All of us are affected by mental health issues at some point in our lives, and all of us can help make the difference in the life of another by accepting them and providing hope. For those matters that exceed our control the county runs a 24/7 toll-free hotline for crisis counseling, information and referrals at 1-877-485-9700.

Michael Kelsey represents the towns of Amenia, Washington, Stanford, Pleasant Valley and the village of Millbrook in the Dutchess County Legislature. Write him at KelseyESQ@yahoo.com.