LIFT Observes Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020 4th October – 10th October

“If you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.”

This week, 4 October - 10 October, marks Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020. The theme for this year’s #MIAW is “What People With Mental Illness Want You to Know.” MIAW coincides with National Depression Screening Day, which takes place on October 8.

According to NAMI, an estimated 46.6 million adults (that’s 18.9% of adults in the United States) currently suffer from mental illness, and these rates are only increasing in the pandemic. While mental illness impacts approximately 1 in 5 Americans in their lifetimes, up to 60% of sufferers will never seek treatment! Can you imagine any other illness with such an abysmal intervention rate? Why is this? And, what can we who are allies and advocates do about it?

Because mental illness presents in so many diverse manifestations, many are still confused by, or simply unaware of the true cause of a friend or a loved ones (or their own) suffering. While our field has come a tremendously long way since Hippocrates prescribed opiates and removal from job and home as “treatment” for mental illness in 500 BC (!), we have so much further to go as a society in understanding and empathically intervening in mental health issues.

Today, individual, family and group psychotherapy, and/or medication, are the standard of care for most facing a mental health crisis. These options are effective and life-saving - but impossible to accomplish without good screening and intervention work. At LIFT, we believe that screening for mental illness should be as commonplace as screening for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic health condition. MHAScreening.org offers a quick and easy way to determine whether an individual is suffering from a mental health condition.

We know that many of you reading wish to be allies in getting hurting folks to care, but aren’t sure exactly how to help.

It all begins with amplifying their voices.

Individuals who are suffering from mental illness often feel intense shame and alienation, and are therefore likely to isolate and hide their feelings. Early intervention is important, and saves lives. If you notice someone exhibiting warning signs of mental illness (ie; excessive worrying, feeling down or withdrawn, confused thinking, poor concentration, ups and downs, sleep changes, irritability, low energy, under or overeating, alcohol or drug abuse, excessive stress, difficulty handling daily problems or activities, changes in sex drive, or suicidality), SPEAK UP!

DON’T dismiss (“You should be happy because…”), minimize (“At least you’re not…”), argue with their logic (“I don’t see it that way…”, offer comparatives (“I went through something similar…”)

DO… Find a comfortable space to start an authentic conversation. Listen without judgment. Let silences happen. Sitting with someone in their pain is sometimes much more powerful than any words you could utter. Practice empathy, not sympathy.

Whenever possible, get the individual connected with a mental health screening. If an individual is uncertain whether what they’re experiencing is more than run-of-the-mill sadness, nerves, or mood fluctuations, a screening can help provide clarity and direction. A mental health screening does NOT provide a definitive diagnosis, but it IS a helpful tool for starting a constructive dialog about mental health.

Lastly, remember that while mental illness takes many forms and conditions, there are a myriad of treatment options available and the resources to get folks connected with the right kind. Some of our favorites are the NAMI Helpline (800-950-NAMI), the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, MentalHealth.gov, and Mental Health America's Finding Therapy. As always, if you or anyone you know is in a crisis state, you may call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 211, or 911, at anytime.

Imagine me… beyond what you see

To all outward appearances, you look like you have got it all figured out. Academic life on point, work promotion locked down, supportive friends and family who always have your back. Too bad no one can see your insides- plagued by insecurity and fear, you battle through every day by controlling your diet and exercise as a way to shrink your larger-than-life feelings down to a manageable size. But it doesn't last. Every day, the same war is waged. You know that life should feel better than this, but you can’t imagine how things could be different than they are. 

LIFT’s specialized team is devoted to helping individuals learn how to finally deal with emotional pain and distress. We work with clients to build better relationships with food, body, and exercise. We believe that peace with food and body are our birthright, and we’re ready to begin helping you uncover possibilities you haven’t previously considered. 

Make no mistake- there is work entailed. But you are ready. You’re tired of yo-yo dieting and fighting against cravings and urges. You’re tired of punishing your body with excessive movement for indulging. You’re done working so hard to be perfect, but in your own mind, having it add up to ‘never enough.’ 

You should know that we practice from an “all foods fit” and Health At Every Size ® approach, which means we believe that all foods can be good, that there are no bad foods, and that all bodies, both big and small, can be healthy and fit. The latest scientific evidence indicates that variety and moderation are the keys to a balanced lifestyle. We will not rest until you, and all of our clients, organically know that they are worthy of love, appreciation, approval and kindness, and that it is our culture of superficiality, body shaming and thin privilege that need to change, not you. Many clients come to us with lifelong internalized trauma from a longstanding history of rejection, judgment and misguided advice from medical professionals, the media, peers, and loved ones. For your information:

1. Having fat doesn’t mean you are fat. Having fingernails doesn’t mean you are fingernails.

2. Fat doesn’t diminish your worth, and should never diminish your enjoyment of your physical body.  

We at LIFT use evidence-based practices to assist clients in learning how to manage anorexia, bulimia, food addiction, binge eating disorder, emotional eating, compulsive overeating, restrictive eating, compulsive over-exercise, disordered eating, and body image. If you are ready to schedule a session or a consultation appointment with a team member, call us today.