Paso del Norte Health Foundation: Supportive bonds key
As warm weather and more daylight approaches, our calendars are quickly filling our free time with outdoor work or activities for the kids.
As outdoor activities gain traction, remember to stay connected to friends and loved ones who may not be as agile or are at risk for isolation.
The importance of maintaining relationships that provide support, friendship, love and hope cannot be emphasized enough. Being isolated from these connections is a significant contributor to poor mental health and can lead to mental illness. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in five American adults, ages 18 and older, have mental illness.
Anyone regardless of age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, economic status or location can experience mental illness. Because these type of illnesses are widely misunderstood, friends and family members may be reluctant to talk about the topic or may not know where to turn for care and support.
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation, through its Think.Change initiative, helped increase the availability of education programs, including: Mental Health First Aid; National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Family to Family” and “NAMI Basics;” and De Mujer a Mujer. These programs provide knowledge about mental health, mental illness and available treatment options.
Set aside time to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about mental health and to maintain connections with friends and family at risk for isolation. Whenever possible, be sure to include them in everyday plans, going out to the park, watching a baseball game, catching a movie and other activities.
Understanding and support are powerful and can make a real difference in a person’s quality of life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent severe anxiety, depression, grief or mourning, seek out professional help. One of the most important factors in recovering from a mental illness is understanding and acceptance of friends or relatives. Take time to arm yourself with the facts, then use your knowledge by reaching out to those around you who may be at risk for isolation and poor mental health.
To learn more about available education programs, here are some resources:
Mental Health First Aid
- El Paso County: Victor Ramirez Jr. at 887-3410 ext. 18857, 479-4874, vramirez2@ehnelpaso.org
- Dona Ana County, New Mexico: Anabel Canchola or Jenny Torres at 575.525.5863, anabels@donaanacounty.org, jennyt@donaanacounty.org
- Luna County, New Mexico: Brian Marshall at 575-543-1018 ext. 1018, brian.marshall@demingps.org
- Online: mentalhealthfirstaid.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Dr. Patti Fernandez at 778-5726, pf.nami.ep@gmail.com
- Denise Uga at 778-5726, du.nami.ep@gmail.com
- Nellie Mendoza at 778-5726, nt.nami.ep@gmail.com
- Krystel Rosales at 778-5726, namikrosales@gmail.com
- Online: nami.org
De Mujer a Mujer
- Pema Garcia at 860-9528, pgarcia@arch.tamu.edu
Additional support services
- Emergence Health Network: 779-1800, emergencehealthnetwork.org
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: adaa.org
- U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 800-662-4357, samhsa.gov
Enrique Mata is the senior program officer with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation; pdnhf.org.