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Getting treatment and support for depression, mental illness

Soundoff! - 11/28/2019

Nov. 28--People who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses should seek treatment and consider joining a support group.

Denise Giuliano, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Howard County, said research has shown that seeking treatment early almost always leads to better outcomes.

"In general, the longer a person waits to seek treatment, the more difficult and lengthy the recovery," she said. "Support groups are crucial to the recovery process.

"The most consistent feedback we receive is that the most important result of attending a support group is that people discover that they are not alone. ...

"Attendees can also learn a lot from each other, perhaps by hearing a different perspective or a new idea to tackle a shared challenge."

However, some people avoid treatment for fear of being ostracized.

NAMI and other mental health organizations have worked hard to eradicate stigma. NAMI celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

"I think tremendous progress has been made since 1979 in bringing the issues surrounding mental illness out of the shadows," Giuliano said. "Forty years ago, people were not near as open talking about mental illness as they are today. Younger generations are embracing the issue and elevating it to the importance it deserves.

"Mental health should be treated the same as physical health because mental health often affects physical health."

Treatment for depression and other mental illnesses is available at the Multi-D Behavioral Health Clinic at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center for service members and their families.

To schedule an appointment, all 301-677-8895 or 301-677-8791. Walk-in hours are available for urgent concerns Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those with concerns about suicidal thoughts should go to a local emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go online to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

NAMI of Howard County sponsors support groups for people with mental illnesses and their family members. The support groups are free and open to everyone. The organization is located at 9650 Santiago Road in Columbia.

For more information on NAMI support groups, visit https://namihowardcounty.org.

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