While the holiday season can be a joyous time, it can also be a time of heightened emotional stress and triggers for emotional challenges related to mental health, substance use and grief. Be sure to care for yourself these next few months; that may include reaching out for support and treatment.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “one in five adults experiences a mental health condition every year. One in 20 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In addition to the person directly experiencing a mental illness, family, friends and communities are also affected.” Of the millions of adults in the United States with a substance abuse disorder, approximately half have a co-occurring mental illness.
If you are in need of support, a number of local and nationals resources are available to help you during the holiday season and throughout the year:
- Carroll Hospital’s Behavioral Health Services (inpatient and outpatient programs for adults and adolescents with psychiatric, emotional, behavioral and addictive disorders)
- Depression & Bipolar Support Group of Carroll County
- Alcoholics Anonymous and AlAnon/Alateen meetings
- Narcotics Anonymous meetings
- Carroll Hospice’s bereavement support groups (calendar view of groups available here)
- Maryland Crisis Hotline through Grassroots Crisis Intervention (provides support, guidance and assistance 365 days a year). Call 800-422-0009 if you are in crisis.
For additional resources and guidance, call Carroll Hospital’s Care Connect line at 410-871-7000.
Melissa Murdock, R.N., is a nurse health navigator at Carroll Hospital.
