Aspirus | Aspire | Winter 2019

12 aspire Winter 2019 You are not alone NEARLY 1 IN 5. That’s how many adults in the United States are living with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Mental health problems like depression and anxiety are very common, yet many people hesitate to get professional help for them. NIMH reports only 50 percent of people living with a mental illness receive treatment. “That’s unfortunate because most mental illnesses—even serious ones— are treatable,” said Marleen Bryan, APNP, a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Aspirus. “Mental illness is a disease. With treatment, people can thrive and live their best life.” New behavioral health clinic in Wisconsin Rapids OnSept. 24, 2018, Aspirus celebrated theopening of AspirusRiverview Behavioral HealthClinic. Locatedon theAspirus RiverviewHospital campus inWisconsinRapids, the clinic is helpingmeet the growingneed formental healthandsubstanceuse disorder services in the greaterWisconsinRapids area. The clinic is staffed bypsychiatrists, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical socialworkers, nurses andsupport professionals. If youor a familymember could benefit fromthese services, contact AspirusRiverview Behavioral HealthClinic at 715.422.9319 . Marleen Bryan, APNP Lifecanbebetter According to Bryan, mental health treatment or counseling can help you: w w Gain relief from depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. w w Cope with thoughts, behaviors, symptoms, past experiences and more to support your recovery and healing. w w Change thinking and behaviors that stop you from moving forward. w w Improve how you handle and express your emotions, including grief, fear and anger. w w Deal with conflicts, stresses and daily challenges. w w Expand your problem-solving skills. w w Form and achieve goals. w w Boost your self-confidence. w w Develop relationship and communication skills. w w Mend and improve relationships. w w Improve your quality of life. w w Function better at work and home. To find the best course of action for you, start by describing what you’re experiencing to your primary care provider. After an evaluation, he or she may suggest you see a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychologist or social worker. “If you are experiencing mental or emotional problems, you are not alone,” Bryan said. “Help and hope exists. Don’t be ashamed to confide what you are experiencing and feeling with your doctor. Doing so is an important step in taking control and claiming the fulfilling life you deserve.” LIVEYOURBESTLIFE If you’re experiencing mental or emotional problems, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Don’t have one? Go online to aspirus.org or call the Aspirus Customer Contact Center at 800.847.4707 to find an Aspirus provider near you.