Valley Baptist Health System Recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month

Mega Doctor News

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HARLINGEN – For the last 70 years, the month of May has served as Mental Health Month, bringing with it increased awareness of behavioral health issues and how good mental health is important to the quality of life.

Anthony Manuel, MSN, RN, and Nurse Manager of Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen’s Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, said awareness can play a key role in providing support to those who may be struggling with mental health issues.

“Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of all ages, races, and walks of life. That being said, mental illness may directly impact someone we know such as a family member or friend suffering from depression, anxiety or an adjustment disorder or it might be something we’ve had to face in our own lives. That’s why awareness is important so that the burden of mental illness can be reduced and the stigma eliminated,” Manuel said. “If individuals aren’t aware that they have a mental illness or are afraid to bring it up, it can produce unfavorable outcomes if left untreated.”

Opened in early 2018, Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s 12-bed Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit is equipped and staffed to specifically match the needs of older adults. A variety of designs were chosen to make the unit feel more like a residential environment, and artwork throughout helps make it warm and inviting. The program was designed for older adults who are experiencing emotional, behavioral or mental health issues ranging from depression to changes in sleeping patterns or insomnia.

Patients receive comprehensive behavioral health care from a team that includes a wide array of specialists from psychiatrists to physical, occupational and speech therapists.

In addition to Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, Valley Baptist Behavioral Health Services includes an adult Intensive Outpatient Program located in Valley Baptist’s Professional Office Building, 2121 Pease Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 3A.  In Brownsville, the program is located at 800 West Jefferson St. Suite 140.

Becky Tresnicky, MSW, LCSW, Director, Behavioral Health Services, said the intensive outpatient program is an important component to providing comprehensive behavioral health services to the community for issues that are commonly and unfortunately left untreated.

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“Mental illness impacts many families, with major depression being a leading cause of disability throughout the country,” she said. “Yet many people in the Valley don’t receive treatment because of stigma, misunderstanding, and lack of access to care.”

While Mental Health Awareness Month plays a vital role in drawing attention to mental health issues, Tresnicky said it is important for families and loved ones to support those suffering from mental illness and encourage them to seek treatment.

“Mental health affects about a third of the adult population to some extent, either with depression and anxiety substance use disorder or psychosis,” she said. “The long-term benefits of having good mental health can affect not only the patient but also their families, work colleagues, classmates. A patient’s physical health issues can often improve just by taking care of their mental health issues alone.”