Health and wellness are core necessities to wellbeing. It's important to have access to good information on mental health or a mental illness. This will help you make the best decisions for you or a loved one.
Your Life Iowa can help you find support if you have questions or concerns about mental health. We can also support you in helping someone you're concerned about.
If you need ideas to improve your health and wellness, talk to your healthcare provider. Ask for advice from healthy supporters or use reputable internet sources. Remember, there is hope wherever you are.
Types of mental health disorders
- Anxiety Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Self-Harm
- Schizophrenia
Your mental health directly impacts your physical health.
There are many ways mental health can impact physical health. For example, depression increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Mental illness can weaken the immune system, cause sleep disturbances and increase fatigue1.
You can improve your physical and mental health at the same time.
Many of the recommendations for living a healthy life also supports positive mental health. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep are ways to improve your health. They help reduce stress levels and provide your body with the fuel it needs to function.
Questions about your or someone else's mental health? Your Life Iowa can listen and connect you with support. Contact YLI 24/7.
Call:(855) 581-8111 Text:(855) 895-8398 Live Chat
Citations
- About Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023.
There are many factors that contribute to mental health concerns or mental illness.
No one is exempt from the possibility of mental health concerns or a mental illness. We all have times where life seems harder than normal or we struggle to manage our mental health. It's important to be aware of what can contribute to poor mental health for your own wellness and your loved ones.
There are many factors that contribute to mental health concerns or a mental illness, including1:
- A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling.
- Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce.
- An ongoing, chronic medical condition (such as diabetes).
- Brain damage because of a serious injury.
- Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault.
- Use of alcohol or recreational drugs.
- A childhood history of abuse or neglect.
- Few friends or healthy relationships.
- A previous mental illness.
Citation
- Mental Illness. Mayo Clinic. 2022.
Brain injuries can be a multi-occurring condition with mental health concerns.
Brain injuries are often a multi-occurring condition with mental health concerns. It's important to include brain injury screening in your approach to help patients. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury. Learn more with the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.
Take care of yourself.
Taking care of your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Self-care helps with coping with stress and negative experiences. Make self-care a regular part of your daily life to help you become more resilient.
Here are some ideas you can try for self-care:
- Take a walk outside.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Make yourself a meal you enjoy.
- Re-read one of your all-time favorite books.
- Give someone a compliment - and then compliment yourself, too.
- Play with a pet.
- Listen to a favorite music playlist.
- Take a hot shower or bath.
- Give yourself permission to choose how you spend your time, resources or energy. It's okay to say no to things.
- Spend a few minutes stretching and breathing deeply.
- Reach out to a trusted friend or family member.
- Take a short break for tea or coffee.
- Start on a project you have been wanting to begin for a while.
- Watch your favorite movie.
- Write yourself a letter about a few things that are bothering you - then throw it away.
- Call us at Your Life Iowa.
Citation
- Help Yourself. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What is a crisis?
A mental health crisis occurs when acute or chronic stressors become too much to handle. You may feel overwhelmed and unable to function in your daily life. You may feel at risk of hurting yourself or others.
When you're in the midst of a crisis, it can be hard to know where to turn. Your Life Iowa is here to walk beside you until your life is back on track. We can connect you with services and trained professionals to help in a mental health crisis.
Here are more support options that may be available in your community:
Crisis Stabilization Community-Based Services are short-term services. They provide services where the individual lives, works or socializes. They help de-escalate and stabilize an individual following a mental health crisis.
Crisis Stabilization Residential Services are short-term living arrangements. They help to de-escalate and stabilize an individual after a mental health crisis.
Mobile Response is an on-site, face-to-face mental health service. It is for individuals experiencing a crisis. Mobile response staff are able to intervene wherever the crisis is occurring.
23-Hour Observation and Holding is a secure and protected environment. Individuals can stay up to 23 hours. It is staffed by medical professionals in a supervised treatment environment.
Warm Line is a telephone line staffed by individuals with lived experience. They provide nonjudgmental, non-directive support to an individual experiencing a crisis.
Support and help are available through Your Life Iowa. Reach out by Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Learn how to help during a mental health crisis.
Mental Health First Aid teaches the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. The class covers how to recognize these signs and symptoms. The training offers how to provide initial help and guide a person toward treatment. This is an 8-hour course.
What can be done to help mental health?
There are many treatment options available. No treatment works for everyone.
Individuals can choose the treatment that works best for them. Options include:
- Medication.
- Case management.
- In-patient services.
- Support Groups.
Learn more about treatment options
I need help. Who do I ask?
If you're concerned about your mental wellness, start by reaching out to Your Life Iowa. YLI counselors can help find services nearby. Or, find help on your own using the Your Life Iowa Facility Locator.
There are people who can help support your mental wellness.
Psychologist - A doctor trained to make diagnoses and provide therapy.
Psychiatrist - A doctor trained to diagnose and treat mental illness. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication for management of mental or emotional illnesses.
Others include clinical social workers; mental health counselors and substance use counselors.
Learn more about support for mental wellness
What can I do to support a loved one?
Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. In 2020, only 20-percent of adults received any mental health treatment. That included 10-percent of adults who received counseling or therapy from a professional. Family and friends can be important to help someone get the treatment and services they need1.
- Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help.
- Helping them access mental health services.
- Helping them learn self-care and coping techniques.
- Learning and sharing facts about mental health.
- Treating them with respect.
- Using person-first language.
What causes mental health conditions?
There are many different factors that can lead to mental health conditions. Three main contributing factors are2:
Genetic factors or inherited traits. Certain genes may increase a person's risk for developing a mental health condition. Family mental health history may also contribute to having a mental health condition.
Exposure to environmental stressors before birth. This includes things like drugs or other substances. It could also include inflammatory conditions or toxins.
Brain chemistry. When our brain's messaging network gets impaired, nerve receptors can change. This can lead to depression or other mood disorders.
What is recovery?
Recovery varies based on a person's situations and needs, and it looks different for everyone.
Recovery is more than sobriety and abstinence. Recovery is about coming to recognize things you've been through and all that you've overcome. Recovery centers on individual needs.
The path to recovery may look different for each person. Pathways to recovery include activities that promote health and wellbeing, such as:
- Going to peer support meetings.
- Seeking treatment.
- Connecting with community resources.
- Developing and maintaining an ongoing network of support.
Recovery often looks different over time. Circumstances change as recovery progresses. Having allies and a community of support helps in sustaining long term recovery. Wherever you are in your recovery journey, YLI is here to help.
Learn more about mental health recovery
Citations
- Mental Health Myths and Facts. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2023.
- Mental Illness. Mayo Clinic. 2022.
Encouragement. One Text at a Time.
You can never have too much support. That's why Your Life Iowa created our supportive text messaging program. Sign up to receive encouraging messages, no matter what you're facing.
The language we use matters.
How we talk and think about mental health impacts those with a mental health concern. Stigma around mental health often prevents people from seeking or accessing care.
The good news is that there are safe, effective tools for combating stigma. You can help reduce stigma.
One of the main ways people perpetuate stigma is through language.
Terms like "crazy" and "psychotic" create the idea that those with a mental health illness are dangerous or bad. Slang or derogatory terms also perpetuate negative connotations. Rather, use person-first language and proper medical terms (i.e., a person who has depression).
Do not use a mental illness as a "catch all" to describe a negative behavior. For example, do not use "She's so bipolar" to describe someone's actions.
Have open, honest conversations about stigma and mental health. Make sure to listen and support them. Offer to help connect them with more support. Your Life Iowa can help you start a conversation about mental health with a loved one.
Learn more about mental health concerns and how they are treatable medical conditions. People with a mental health concern or mental illness deserve compassion and respect.
Want to find help on your own?
Your Life Iowa is always here to help you find resources near you. However, we understand that sometimes you’d like to look for help on your own. Our map will let you do just that.
Would you like a mental health professional to contact you?
Fill out a simple contact form and a professional will reach out to you.
Are you, friends or family with someone who needs help with his or her mental health?
Find out how Your Life Iowa can provide support for them -- and you.