Mental Health Association | Home | Financial Distress and Mental Health

Welcome to the Mental Health Association of Frederick County!

June 9, 2009

MHA Staff

The Mental Health Association (MHA) promotes mental wellness and supports those with mental illness by providing advocacy, education and direct service programs. Founded in 1965, MHA is a private, nonprofit agency serving Frederick, Washington, Allegany, Garrett and Carroll County residents.

MHA currently provides over 15 major programs for children, youth, families and senior adults. We pride ourselves on always being available, accessible, and responsive to the changing needs of our community.

Please take time to learn a little more about MHA on these pages. To request services, provide feedback about our website, or to sign up for our e-newsletter, please click “Contact Us” at the bottom of this page.

Thank you for your interest in the mental health of our community!

Sincerely,

Patricia G. Hanberry M.A.
Chief Executive Officer

Información disponible en Español.

Mental Health and Financial Distress

The recent suicide and fire in Mount Airy is yet another reminder that economic strain can greatly affect the mental health of individuals and families. Economic turmoil (e.g., increased unemployment, foreclosures, loss of investments and other financial distress) can result in a whole host of negative health effects – both physical and mental. Although everyone is affected differently by economic troubles, these problems can add tremendous stress to already stressful lives, which in turn can substantially increase the risk for depression, anxiety, domestic violence, substance abuse or suicide.

Unemployment and other types of financial distress do not “cause” suicide, but they can be factors that increase a person’s risk for suicide. Financial distress can cause strong feelings such as humiliation, shame, hopelessness, a loss of control and despair, which can precipitate suicidal thoughts or actions among those who may already be vulnerable to underlying mental or emotional conditions. Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying psychiatric disorder at the time of their death, most often depression, which is often undiagnosed or even unrecognized by the person.

“Many people have been seriously impacted by economic loss in the last couple of years. The majority of them will be able to cope,” says Pat Hanberry, CEO of the Mental Health Association. “But unemployed people are 2-4 times more likely to attempt suicide. When people feel that they can’t change or control their situation, they can become very depressed.”

For many Americans, their home is their primary investment and it is central to people’s identities and social support systems. Foreclosure has been found to be one of the most common economic strains associated with major depression and suicide attempts.

There are warning signs that everyone needs to be aware of in trying to determine whether you or someone you care about could be at risk for suicide:

· Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself

· Looking for ways to kill oneself

· Thinking or fantasizing about suicide

· Acting recklessly

· Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

· Giving away prized possessions.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or depressed and need help to get through a “rough patch,” there are services and treatments that can provide help right here in Frederick. If you or someone you care about is having suicidal thoughts or showing some of these symptoms, please seek immediate help. Call 2-1-1 and speak with one of the Mental Health Association’s trained Call Specialists.

You can also call 2-1-1 to get information and referrals to a wide variety of community service and mental health organizations that can help you get back on your feet – with housing, food, job placement, legal assistance, healthcare and other community supports.

The Mental Health Association also offers therapeutic counseling services on a sliding fee basis. To make an appointment to see a counselor, call 301-663-6135. Another service offered by MHA is the Survivors of Suicide Support Group for people who have lost a loved one to suicide.

“Help is a phone call away. It is a sign of health to seek help,” says Hanberry.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Nearly 44 million Americans experience mental disorders each year. And the illness doesn’t discriminate — it can affect anyone at anytime, regardless of ethnic background, gender, sexual preference or income. July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and MHA invites everyone to help us raise awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health and to break down barriers to treatment for all people.

Cultural differences and lack of information about mental health result in greater levels of stigma associated with mental illness. Minorities may encounter multiple barriers to treatment, including language and cultural barriers, a fragmented mental health system, no health insurance and a shortage of bilingual mental health providers. While all groups experience mental disorders, minorities are over represented in populations at high risk for experiencing mental illness, including people who are exposed to violence, homeless, in prison or jail, foster care, or the child welfare system. Unfortunately these and other conditions lead to significant disparities in access and quality of care for minorities dealing with mental illness.

We will not be silent . . . Mental health is not easy to talk about, BUT IT SHOULD BE!

E-Newsletter Subscription

The Mental Health Association is going GREEN! MHA will now produce a bi-monthly e-newsletter, Mental Health Matters, to inform you of MHA updates, tips, and mental illness information. Click here to join our e-newsletter email list!

Mental Illness Stigma

View a short video by the organization "No Kidding, Me Too!" - an organization trying to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.

Take Action!

Click here to find recent legislative alerts.

Need Help?
Call 2-1-1
In Crisis?
301.662.2255 (local)
800.422.0009 (statewide) Services available in over 150 languages

Find a Counselor

Find a counselor in Frederick County that serves your needs

Find Referrals

For Information and Referrals in over 150 Languages. 2-1-1 cuts through the confusion and links callers to the health and human services they need. Call 2-1-1 from your telephone or go to www.211md.org.

Get a Guide Book

Receive a 2009 Guide to Mental Health and Community Health Services

Incluye Guía de Servicios Sociales Básicos
The Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Resources lists licensed mental health professionals, psychiatric facilities, and over 300 community support services agencies.

Mental Health Association of Frederick County