Mental and physical health are inseparable

Early this year, while visiting my sister at UCHealth’s University of Colorado Hospital, a mental health counselor came into her room. She addressed concerns of pain, anxiety, depression, loss, and fear.

My sister relaxed and appeared calmer. The counselor made regular rounds, just like the medical staff, and my sister found it reassuring and comforting.

As May, Mental Health Awareness Month, comes to a close, remember we need to care for our physical and mental wellness. The two are inseparable; one is not isolated from the other.

Mental Illness affects one in four people, and one in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. People with mental illness could also have chronic physical health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma.

Healthcare is striving to control costs and improve outcomes. Integrated Behavior Health Care, combining behavioral (mental) health and primary care, is one such approach. For example, one could go to the doctor for medical care and have the opportunity to see a mental health provider at the same time, in the same building, with both being billed together.

Do you know somebody struggling with a cancer, heart disease, or any other serious illness who is not stressed, having trouble sleeping, eating abnormally, sad, worried, experiencing relationship problems, or feeling overwhelmed?

Neither do I.

On the other hand, many mental health clients can suffer with palpitations, rashes, headaches, fatigue, body aches, etc. Overall good health involves our body and mind.

Integrated Behavioral Health is finally treating the whole person, and proving total care to people of all ages, from infants, children, and teens to adults at all stages of life.

The good news is that it is offered right here in Northeastern Colorado. It is supported by Dr. Lamb, Dr. Soper, the providers of UCHealth, Colorado Health Medical Group and University of Colorado School of Medicine. Call for more information – UCHealth Sterling Primary Care, 620 Iris Drive, Sterling, Colorado 80751, 970-522-7266. Behavioral Health providers – Dianna Haas, PhD, BCPC, LPC and Rachel J. Griffin, NP.

Behavioral health providers also care for patients at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and the Greeley Emergency and Surgery Center in Greeley.

Help me celebrate Northeastern Colorado’s inclusion of Integrated Behavior Health in a primary care setting. We are lucky to have innovators combining physical and mental healthcare.

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of My Clients…My Teachers, and the blogger and encourager of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.)

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