Mental Health in Lincoln – December 2021

Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love, and inspire every day. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness, and one in 20 experience a serious form of mental illness.

Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades, studies show that the stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. This stigma affects not only those seeking treatment, but the resources that are available to them.

Many studies have also been conducted since the COVID-19 pandemic’s start about the effects it has had on our country’s mental health, making us all aware of the way it is mentally impacting people of all ages. In research performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), over 30% of adults in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, a sharp increase from 11% prior to the pandemic. In Nebraska alone, 23% of adults reported having these symptoms as recently as September.

NAMI states that the average delay between symptom onset and treatment is a staggering 11 years. The need for mental health services and awareness is high, so we spoke to some local experts to learn more about this need in our community. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with a mental illness, or you have no first-hand experience with mental illness, we encourage you to keep reading to learn more about how you can help bring more mental health awareness and services into the community.

Mental Care is Health Care

Clearwater Counseling, PC (clearwatercounselingpc.org) is a private practice providing outpatient mental health services at locations in Grand Island and Omaha. We spoke to Kayla Leddy, MS, LIMHP, LIPC, CA, and co-owner, about some of the things we can do as a community to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health illness.

“While it’s not necessary to know every detail about mental health care, it is very beneficial to know why it is so important,” said Kayla. “Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make health choices. The bottom line is that mental care is health care. Once you’ve been enlightened about the necessity of mental health care, shed some light for others. Talking about mental health only helps the cause.”

If you notice someone struggling with mental health, Kayla encourages you to not turn your cheek, and offer help when you can and let others know that professional help is also available.

“Before you speak, always think about how your words can be perceived,” Kayla shared. “Consider how you might feel if someone said something to you that was hurtful. Also, examine your own judgmental thinking that may have been reinforced by society or upbringing. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution.”

With winter settling in and the holidays in full swing, this season is beyond busy and it can be easy to push therapy to the side. Make sure you put your health first by keeping your scheduled sessions. This time with your therapist will allow you to address and overcome the worries and obstacles you are facing. Kayla also suggested setting realistic goals this season and prioritizing your top experiences, as there is so much to get done over the holidays.

“It’s okay to give yourself a break during the holidays,” said Kayla. “Yes, even during a holiday, it’s important to spend some time relaxing away from others. Do what makes you feel most comfortable. Oh, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep!”

The biggest tip Kayla had to offer was to be mindful. During this holiday season, be open and aware of what is happening in the moment.

“Don’t fret over the future or the past,” Kayla advised. “Live in the present. Allow yourself a range of emotions and be open and accepting.”

Start the Conversation

Daring Minds Therapy (daringmindstherapy.info) is a women-owned small business founded in 2018 by Maureen A. DeRyke with co-founders Sarah Worley and Erica Schroeder. They have therapists who are trained/licensed in child-parent-psychotherapy, eye-movement desensitization, reprocessing, dialectical behavioral therapy, drug and alcohol abuse, social work, and trauma-related disorders.

We asked Erica how we can reduce or eliminate the stigma around mental health. She explained that the simplest way to tackle this is by talking about it. Having good support systems in place and providing open lines of nonjudgmental communication between family, friends, and community members makes a real difference. Given the increased awareness of mental-health in recent years, Erica says today’s youth just might be the ones to guide a change in the attitudes associated with mental-health.

“I believe a majority of middle-school-aged teens and high-school students have better awareness of what mental health is and, in some cases, it can even be identified as a form of status,” Erica said. “I often hear teens identify with peers by making statements such as, ‘Who’s your therapist?’, followed by sharing of therapeutic tools they have learned. On the other side of that, older generations are not as aware of, or believe in, mental-health services because their core family values are primarily associated with strength and/or being guarded, which do not correlate well with therapy.”

Serving the Community

People’s City Mission (pcmlincoln.org) was started in 1907 by local churches, offering food and shelter for transient and impoverished men, women, and children. Many of these people struggle with mental health. We spoke to Pastor Tom Barber to learn more about how our community can assist this population.

“Homelessness has been a pervasive problem for communities across the country, including right here in Lincoln,” Pastor Tom shared. “While there are a number of factors contributing to this dilemma, people struggling with mental health has become a key reason. Unfortunately, many Nebraskans are not aware of the size and scope of this crisis, nor fully comprehend the devastating impact it has on those who suffer from such issues. To cite an example, when I first came to the Mission in 2004, men and women dealing with mental illness accounted for about 5% of our clientele. This year it is the primary cause for over 20% of people staying here.”

People’s City Mission offers immediate assistance to homeless people struggling with mental health by providing them with food, shelter, clothing, and other basic necessities, as well as one-on-one counseling. They also help them fi nd needed community resources such as case work, medications, and more permanent housing.

“The challenge for Lincoln remains how best to solve this social dilemma,” said Pastor Tom. “I believe the greatest solution would be to dramatically increase the number of mental health providers in our city. We also need to keep promoting this cause to the community at large. A more educated and aware public could help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and help create a greater culture of care and acceptance for those suffering.”

Local Wellness Resources

Physical health and mental health affect each other more than many people realize. Studies have shown that working out regularly can improve one’s mood and reduce panic attacks. Working out can also lower stress, enhance brain function, and boost self-esteem. Healthy eating and staying hydrated can prevent mood swings, reduce stress and anxiety, control depression, and help you sleep better.

LIVE Hydration Spa Lenox (livehydrationspa.com) has many IV therapy options to help you reach these goals and feel healthier. They provide packages to rehydrate your body, increase your energy and concentration, or give your athletic performance a boost. Their IV therapy treatment is a great way to help you feel better, happier, and healthier.

In IV therapy, nutrients are delivered directly to cells through the bloodstream. This makes the nutrients immediately available for your body’s use, since there’s no waiting for them to pass through the digestive system and liver. IV therapy is a fantastic treatment to improve overall wellbeing and boost feelings of wellness, restoring the body’s balance.

“Nutrient deficiency, such as Vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamins can play a huge role in moods and mental health,” explained Co-owner Mandy Brummels. “As we huddle indoors for the season, we have less exposure to fresh air and sunshine, which is a great source of Vitamin D. These dark winter months can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects many people. At LIVE Hydration Spa, we offer Vitamin D and B12 injections, as well as IV treatments specifically geared towards boosting moods and the immune system, and reducing stress and anxiety.”

Having an imbalance of electrolytes, vitamins, and/or amino acids can make a person feel less than their best self. IV therapy is a great way to get these essential pieces back up to their necessary levels so you can improve your mood and feel healthier, and Mandy hopes LIVE Hydration Spa can help people who need an extra boost. Mandy herself has had lifelong anxiety and was diagnosed with PTSD after a traumatic incident, so she can empathize with the impact of mental health on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health and quality of life.

“Our facility promotes kindness, inclusion, and compassion,” shared Mandy. “Mental health is a silent struggle for millions of Americans – people can look healthy and happy on the outside and really be struggling internally. The more we courageously and compassionately discuss mental health issues, the more we can ‘normalize’ it and break that stigma.”

According to goodrx.com, studies have shown that CBD may help to ease depression by changing serotonin levels in the brain, and CBD products that possess a high level of CBD and a low level of THC have been found to be most effective for depression. Studies have also shown that CBD with little to no THC can also help to decrease anxiety. If you are interested in learning more about how CBD can help with these conditions, visit Trek CBD (trekcbd.com) at one of their two locations in Lincoln.

“Because we’re a locally owned business in Lincoln, we have the privilege of helping people in our community on their journey to improving their wellness and well-being,” said Scott Brady, cofounder. “Our goal at Trek CBD in Lincoln is to empower people with data-driven, science-backed resources to educate as well as high-quality, lab-tested products. That’s why we are dedicated to creating a comfortable, safe environment for our customers, a place that’s brightly lit, service-based, and easily accessible.”

Trek CBD carries a wide selection of CBD products that can help treat a variety of issues, such as trouble sleeping, focusing, or staying/becoming calm. Their CBD products are also offered in several different capacities, such as gummies, chocolates, lotions, capsules, tinctures, and more.

Another great choice for CBD products is CBD American Shaman (cbdamericanshaman.com). They carry products that can help you reach a healthy state of mind, which in turn can result in improved focus, better sleep, more energy, and improved brain clarity, in addition to comfort and physical health. When you visit CBD American Shaman, you can sample various products with a CBD Consultant available to answer any questions you may have. Lance Schroeder, owner of CBD American Shaman, explained to us how CBD works in the body.

“We all have an endocannabinoid system, which is run by a form of CBD called anandamide. That system puts our whole body into balance,” explained Lance. “That’s what they call homeostasis. CBD gets those receptors working properly throughout the body, which helps get the body back into balance. CBD is all-natural and non-habit forming. Visit one of our three Lincoln locations today to learn more about how CBD can help you!”

Take the time to educate yourself and share your resources with others so we can work together to end the stigma around mental health and bring more awareness to our community. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to reach out to these professionals.