Mental Health: An important public health issue.

Today's issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (Wednesday, July 22, Vol. 302 No. 4) has an announcement: "Mental Health Theme Issue: Call for Papers" by Richard M. Glass, MD.
In order to recognize the important public health issue of mental health, JAMA will publish a special issue on the subject in May 2010.
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Did you know that in 1990, then Pres. George H. W. Bush officially designated the 1990's as the Decade of the Brain? Dr. Glass writes that this was to encourage research on the brain and to enhance public awareness of the importance of this research. "The brain is the site of emotion and cognition, and the controller of most bodily functions."

Within the past 20 years, there has been a tremendous increase in our knowledge of how the brain functions, but " mental disorders continue to be a major public health problem throughout the world, making a substantial independent contribution to the burden of disease worldwide. Mental disorders are a major cause of long-term disability and also interact with other health conditions as risk factors and sources of additional morbidity and mortality."

Dr. Glass goes on to write that mental disorders are also a direct cause of death -- approximately 800,000 individuals commit suicide every year worldwide-- typically related to severe mental illness, alcohol and other substance abuse. " In the United States, the latest statistics available (2006) indicate more than 33 000 annual deaths from suicide, a rate of 11.1 suicide deaths per 100 000 population per year, and 594 000 annual emergency department visits for self-inflicted injuries.

Most people place a high value on their physical health. They may not always eat the healthiest foods or exercise regularly, but no one wants to sign up for diabetes, or a disabling stroke. Our mental health is a big factor in our physical health, and directly correlated to quality of life. If your thoughts and emotions are "off track," your health will be as well.

Think about it. If your emotions fly into high gear when someone cuts you off on the interstate, and you continue to think about it and re-experience the anger and rage, this will certainly impact your mood and behavior. You may be more irritable at work, or with your spouse and kids at home. Maybe you'll smoke more cigarrettes or have a drink to help yourself calm down. And if this kind of anger is a regular event for you, over time, the stress this creates will take a toll on your body.

More on the effects of stress on the body in a future blog....but for now. Be aware. Be mindful of how you are going through your day, and the decisions you are making. Decide to make your mental health as well as your physical health a #1 priority.

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Welcome to HealthyBehavior

HealthyBehavior is Behavioral Health Institute's new blog. We hope to share information that will be helpful, whether it be about overcoming common problems we all encounter from time to time, learning ways to reduce family conflict, tips to better manage stress, the latest research and treatment options for chronic conditions, or behavior changes that can improve your overall health.

So, welcome to our blog! I'm Dr. Ellie, one of the psychologists practicing in our group. My colleagues and I will be posting here on a regular basis. Please visit us at http://www.bhifl.com/ to read more about BHI and our Clinical Staff.