The holiday season can be tough for those impacted by mental illness or substance use disorders, and a global pandemic can make things worse. Sixty-four percent of people with mental illness report that holidays make their condition worse, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
“With the pandemic right now, a lot more people are isolated,” said Hunter Stephens, chair of the Young Professionals Advisory Board at Capital Clubhouse (capitalclubhouseinc.org). It’s a D.C. nonprofi t based in New York Avenue Presbyterian Church downtown that provides fellowship to residents struggling with mental health challenges. “That isolation can be really hard, especially when you’re suffering with a mental illness because it can make you feel very alone. And we as people really do need a human connection.”
At a Dec. 9 panel event hosted by the Clubhouse’s advisory board, attendees learned about resources available to help themselves and others. The offerings help participants to navigate mental illness and substance use challenges through the holiday season and beyond.
The Access HelpLine, run by the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), is an important tool for addressing mental health needs. The phone hotline connects those in need with mental health services and certifi ed behavioral health care providers and can activate mobile crisis teams.
“It’s essentially the fastest way for consumers in D.C. to be linked with mental health services like therapy, medications, and case management,” said Melanie Minges, a clinical care coordinator with DBH and one of the panelists.
Access HelpLine call volume was 149,518 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, according to DBH offi cials. Call the HelpLine at 1 (888) 7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357. Starting next July, people will be able to access those same resources by dialing just three digits: 988.
Congress passed legislation in 2020 designating 988 as the national number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a national network of more than 180 local crisis centers aimed at helping those experiencing a mental health crisis. The Lifeline answered more than 2.1 million calls and more than 234,000 chats in FY 2020, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
DBH is increasing staff numbers and trainings in preparation for fielding incoming calls to 988, Minges said.
“As a result of the 988 number, we’re expecting an increase in calls, an increase in services,” she said. “So we’re really excited about that, not only for the nation but the D.C. community to really integrate a lot of our crisis services together and to use that line to be able to have an easy way to access it.”
Understanding mental health first aid
Access HelpLine isn’t the only resource available for addressing mental health needs. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a course off ered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of metal illnesses and substance use disorders.
“Just like CPR can help someone with a heart attack or experiencing respiratory distress, MHFA is there to help experiencing a mental health crisis or a substance abuse crisis,” said Micah Saviet, clinician and director of the Springer Institute and a panelist at the event.
More than 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in this type of aid, including former First Lady Michelle Obama.
MHFA training focuses on a five-step action plan that includes starting a conversation to fi gure out whether someone is at risk for suicide or harm. You’re supposed to listen without judgment, giving them reassurance and useful information. You encourage them to seek professional help. You help them identify their support network and programs in the community that can aid them. There are MHFA trainings for for adults and another for youth ages 12 to 18.
“It really works to equip people with the knowledge and tools and skills, but also the resources that they [need to] help talk with and assist a friend, family member, or coworker who may be experiencing a mental health issue, a substance use issue, or a crisis such as being suicidal,” Saviet said.
Destigmatizing mental illness and starting the conversation
Stigma about mental illness — both the public’s reaction to it and the prejudice that people with mental illness turn against themselves — can make seeking help more difficult.
Yet mental illness is common in America. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Stigma can prevent people from asking for help, said Maria Núñez, executive director of Capital Clubhouse.
“Often people don’t want to talk about what they’re experiencing,” said Núñez. “They don’t want to feel like they’re judged. They don’t want to feel like they’re sort of seen in a different light. And so, it’s really important that we all get to learn more about it. It’s really important that people be able to seek help and know that there is recovery.”
Mental illness is no different than physical illness, Núñez said, but the reaction to it can vary widely. Education plays an important role in eliminating the stigma. The more people know about mental illness, the less frightening it will seem, she said.
Talking openly about mental health, showing compassion for mental illness and encouraging equality between physical and mental illness can help eliminate stigma, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.
Keeping an eye on friends, family and colleagues to identify when someone may be struggling is important, too. This means noticing when someone’s habits deviate from the norm, such as staying in bed or not showering for days on end, Núñez said.
“Sometimes I think we want to gloss over and say, ‘Oh they’re okay. They’re fine,” she said. “Because it’s kind of hard to deal with that. But it’s important to pay attention to those things, to see those changes. Especially if they’re continuing. And so, we need to be able to step in and say it looks like something is going on with you. Is there anything I can do? Is there anything you want to talk about?”
Reaching out and starting a dialogue doesn’t need to be complicated, said Saviet, who is trained in Mental Health First Aid.
“I just think it can be as simple as saying, ‘I’m concerned about you. This is what I’ve been noticing, and I’m concerned,’” he said.
