Wednesday, March 26, 2025
One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to get in shape. We join a gym and work out to look our best, and the results of a disciplined and consistent exercise regimen are physically apparent. Being fit is admired.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for taking care of your mental health. For many of us, there is a self-imposed stigma associated with working on mental health (as an essential component of overall health and wellness). There is a reluctance to share mental health struggles, for fear of being judged. As a result, in most cases these issues remain untreated and, in some cases, they have fatal consequences.
Most recently, I was confronted with a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the vital importance of mental health care. On Jan. 27, during the Nassau County Legislature’s monthly “Top Cops” presentations, we received a sobering request from Police Benevolent Association President Thomas Shevlin. He asked us to observe a moment of silence in memory of Matthew Kear, a Nassau County Police Department officer and a U.S. Navy veteran, who died by suicide.
Shevlin, a passionate advocate for mental health care, went on to say, “We struggle with mental health as anybody else would — especially with what we go through on a daily basis, and what we see. I am tired of putting ‘Rest in Peace’ on my social media. We have to start preventing it.”
I couldn’t agree more with Shevlin about the need to start doing more to prevent suicide. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are common, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, vocation or socioeconomic background. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental health condition.
With proper treatment and care, these conditions can be successfully managed.
Promoting the benefits of mental wellness can help break the stigma and save lives. A good start is fostering supportive conversations with your family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues about mental health. Let them know it’s OK to say that they’re not OK.
Recognize warning signs such as: expressing feelings of hopelessness or being trapped, withdrawing from family and activities, extreme mood swings, giving away prized possessions or expressing the desire to die.
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, I urge you to utilize the resources that are available for immediate assistance, such as Nassau County’s Mobile Crisis Team, which is staffed with licensed professional social workers and nurses who are specially trained to help individuals and families in moments of crisis. Contact them at (516) 227-TALK (8255) for assistance.
Furthermore, you can reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline directly, at 988, to connect with a trained crisis counselor who can provide immediate assistance and confidential support.
And, as always, if your life or safety is ever in immediate danger, I urge you to call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room to get the care you need.
Together, let’s break the stigma of openly talking about mental health. Let’s not be afraid to have that conversation, or to ask, “Are you OK?” Each of us can make a greater effort to be aware of the warning signs in ourselves or others.
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Scott M. Davis, of Rockville Centre, represents Nassau County’s 1st Legislative District.
