Although society has come a significant way in recognizing and addressing mental health needs, harmful stigmas, assumptions and misinformation still exist prevalently in some spaces. With May being recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important for all to be educated on how to avoid medical misinformation.
To combat such harm, Freeport resident Sarah Davison-Duffy, a clinical director and therapist, answered questions on how those dealing with mental health issues can seek adequate help. She also details how she believed people can support their loved ones who they believe are dealing with mental health struggles sensitively and with care.
Q: What are some common stigmas or myths about mental health that you think are still apparent in society?
A: I think that one myth is that people who have a mental health disorder are weak for having it, and that all they have to do is just be a little stronger, maybe pray a little bit more, or refocus and they would be fine, kind of like blaming people for experiencing what they’re experiencing. In reality, the people that I’ve worked with who suffer from mental health conditions are some of the strongest people I’ve known. It’s not a weakness. It’s just that you’re going through an experience that need help.
Q: What are some common mental health challenges?
A: Always the most common are anxiety and depression disorders, adjustment disorders, for the people that I see. It is (often) related to childhood trauma, too. A Child having childhood trauma increases your odds of having a depression or anxiety diagnosis.
I also work with people with bipolar disorder, which is just hereditary. It’s not caused by anything other than your genes. Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder are also caused by your genes, and sometimes something will happen that makes it more likely to express itself.
Q: How should a person dealing with a mental health disorder seek quality help?
A: I think for those seeking help to be aware that there are really good mental health clinics, and that there are people out there who really want to help and won’t judge you or blame you for how you’re feeling.
I work for a federally qualified healthcare clinic, and federally qualified healthcare clinics can see you regardless of your insurance status. So all you have to do is find one, and they are all over, and they will help you. Some people feel like they have to be rich to go to therapy, but you don’t.
I’ve served marginalized communities my whole life who are getting good quality treatment at federally qualified health centers. So definitely treatment is good and really helpful. It’s such a gift to talk to somebody who’s actually going to listen to you and not judge you and help you figure it out.
Q: Do you think mental health disorders are more common today than ever before?
A: I wouldn’t say that it’s more common. I think it can be more acute and a suicide risk is higher. And I think that it is because communities are marginalized and it’s hard to find community. Anybody who has trouble figuring out where they fit in the world, who feels self-doubt that is then compounded by the way they are treated in public, can have a greater risk for thinking of suicide as an option to manage that hurt.
More recently, there’s been an increase risk among African American youth for suicide attempts. Women are more likely to attempt suicide, and men are more likely to die by suicide.
Q: How should our communities, whether regular residents or our political leaders, better support mental health services?
A: Well, funding would be great. In the places where I work, one of our services is funded by the City Council by a City Council grant (in Brooklyn). Other government agencies could also provide funding. Federally qualified health centers definitely get paid enough to help people with Medicaid and Medicare, but most places don’t. Another thing we could do is increase the reimbursement of Medicaid and Medicare for mental health, but that’s not likely in this administration.
Q: How can people who are not medical professionals, support those dealing with mental health disorders?
A: We are meant to be in community, and why marginalized people suffer so much is partly because they’re ostracized from communities. They’re suffering by themselves. So a sense of community is so important. But, unfortunately, when you need community the most, if you’re suffering from like a depression, that’s when you feel the least like socializing. So, you have to kind of have to do what you don’t feel like doing, get out there and socialize. Find your people.
