HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – A discussion centered around depression and mental health awareness will take place at Holland’s City Hall on Thursday.
The Holland Youth Advisory Council is hosting the event. Professionals from Holland Hospital, the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan/Be Nice, Pathways and Ottawa County Mental Health will lead the discussion.
Jean Russer is a Psychologist and Manager of Holland Hospital’s Behavioral Health Services Outpatient Clinic and says one of the barriers to seeking treatment is the stigma in years past is not seeing depression and anxiety as a medical condition.
“Now with all the neuro science research that we have, we are more and more finding the evidence that yes, one of the reasons that some people suffer more than others has to do with differences in what’s going on in the physiology and nuerotransmitters in the brain.”
Russer says another barrier to seeking treatment is the ideas of well “just get over it.”
” To be honest there are many times in life when we do face struggles and we are able to get over it. We have the support of friends, hobbies, and things like music can get us through. There are times when somebody’s body doesn’t get through it on it’s own or there may be a family history.”
Some of the topics in the discussion will include:
“Biology of Mental Health”
“Signs, Symptoms & How to Identify Risk”
“How to Respond to a Loved One or Friend”
“Coping Skills and Self Care Awareness”
“Treatment Options”
The free discussion takes place at 6:00 p.m. at Holland City Hall in council chambers on Thursday, April 27.
