Free screenings for depression and anxiety disorders being offered Friday
5/6/2019
Northwest Health providing service as part of Mental Health Month
SPRINGDALE, AR (May 6, 2019) — Free screenings for depression and anxiety disorders are being provided by Northwest Health this Friday, May 10, from 8-10 am at two locations. The screenings are being provided in conjunction with the national observance of May as Mental Health Month.
Locations for the screenings include Northwest Medical Center-Springdale (front lobby entrance) at 609 W Maple Avenue and Healthy Horizons clinic in Siloam Springs at 1101-1 N. Progress Avenue. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, people can call 479-757-LIFE (5433).
“It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are both common and treatable,” said Susan Kristiniak, DHA, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, NEA-BC, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, who supervises the 49-bed Behavioral Health Unit at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. “When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, it’s important to know when to take action and where to find resources.”
The recognition of May as Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. Last year, Mental Health Month materials were seen and used by over 30 million people, with more than 16,000 entities downloading MHA’s tool kit. This year’s theme of 4Mind4Body has been expanded to explore the topics of animal companionship, spirituality and religion, humor, work-life balance, and recreation and social connections as ways to boost mental health and general wellness. Hand-outs will be available at the screenings or can be requested by emailing CommunityRelations@nw-health.com.
“A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity,” said Don Wleklinski, APRN, a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in mental / behavioral health and is affiliated with Healthy Horizons, a Northwest Physicians clinic. “A healthy lifestyle can also help people recover from these conditions. For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health.”
“It is important to really look at your overall health, both physically and mentally, to achieve wellness,” said Kristiniak. “Finding a reason to laugh, going for a walk with a friend, meditating, playing with a pet, or working from home once a week can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy – it’s all about finding the right balance to benefit both the mind and body.”
MHA has developed a series of fact sheets (available at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may) to help people understand how their lifestyle affects their health.
“We know that living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy, but it can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes,” said Wleklinski. “Finding the balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, physical health and mental health, can help you on the path towards focusing both 4Mind4Body.”
For more information on May is Mental Health Month, visit MHA’s website at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may
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