Mental Health is Public Health

Today I find myself thinking a lot about the connection between the mind and body, and how that connection is impacting the health of those around me. As a public health student, I have been taught that the objective of public health is not to fix something once it is obviously broken; but to make improvements along the way to healthcare systems and programs that keep our community safe and healthy as a whole. While I have always had a special interest in mental health, my classes in public health have not focused much on the connection between the two. This made me want to explore this topic a bit more, because surely there is something to be said about the mindset of individuals, and how it impacts our community as a whole.

About a week ago I had the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Middlebrook LCSW & RYT of Melissa Faye Therapy, Yoga, and Wellness; who has her master’s in public health and also works to serve the Wilmington community using modern integrative therapy and wellness services. Melissa’s background in public health began when she got her foot in the door as a reliable volunteer for AIDS Athens of northeast Georgia. Her preventative work with AIDS Athens compelled her to get her master’s in public health with a concentration in health promotion and behavior. Melissa says that her educational background gives her the unique ability to understand the broader scope of mental health care as a preventative measure, not just as an intervention. This is where mental health and public health are able to connect.

This idea that mental healthcare is not just for intervening, but for prevention, gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to serve as a public health professional. My own concentration is community health education, because I want to work on a more one-on-one or small group basis in the future. To think that the mental health of one individual may impact their own community in some way, gives me hope that I too may have the opportunity to serve my community as Melissa does; combining her knowledge of public health as well as psychology.

This also made me wonder, how is public health intertwined in the day-to-day service of our community through mental healthcare? Melissa stated that her favorite way to connect the two was to partner with people in the community to offer services in order to assist people in management of their mental health. This leads to the betterment of mental health and the community. Group healing opportunities also provide a community perspective that may positively impact public health outcomes. Melissa has had opportunities to lead and co-lead group therapy. The sense of community can be incredibly profound in the healing process while it requires vulnerability and acceptance.

All this talk about the importance of community for mental wellbeing made me wonder, what can people do now to combat feelings of isolation during quarantine? Melissa’s suggestion was to keep it multidimensional! Learning how to take care of oneself as well as the community is crucial. Doing things that make the most sense such as- getting outside as much as possible, finding ways to safely remain socially engaged, and most importantly, being gentle with yourself. The basics of self-care are a great way to meet yourself where you are.

With group healing in mind, I would like to share with you all an exciting opportunity to join us here at Stable Ground Counseling for our Harvesting Hope Women’s Retreat! Rebecca and Melissa will be coming together on Saturday, November 14th from 10am to 5pm to provide a day of healing activities to the women in our community. The retreat will include yoga, meditation, group equine-assisted psychotherapy, gardening, and more! Don’t miss out on this wonderful day of group healing lead by two licensed professionals! For more information, visit our Retreats page and register by clicking on Sign up now!

I encourage you all to find ways to protect yourselves as well as your community in this time of social distancing. Remember that checking in on our own mental health improves not just our own lives, but the community around us.

Until next time,

Haley