With the mental health crisis becoming even more of a national topic of conversation, it is important to acknowledge how the past few years have impacted us locally. Springfield-Greene County Health and other local health partners on May 26 released the 2022 Springfield Regional Health Assessment, which showed the Springfield community (Greene, Christian and Webster counties) has higher rates of depression and suicide than the rest of the state and country.
With the ongoing prevalence of suicide and depression in our community, Springfield-Greene County Health spent Mental Health Month in May raising awareness about mental health and how to start talking about it with friends, family members and medical professionals.
Health Director Katie Towns recently detailed her own personal experience with anxiety and her decision to seek out resources and tools to help improve her mental health. Although hers is just one story of many, this shows that you are not alone, and help is available.
We encourage everyone to talk to their doctor if they have concerns about their mental health. Even though it may be difficult, talking about it with a medical professional can help set you on the path of recovery.
We recognize that mental health awareness extends beyond May, and we also know that the Springfield community is struggling. Talking about mental health openly is an important step in normalizing mental health care. The conversation may be difficult, but it’s needed.
The Health Department continues to be dedicated to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community, but lulls in surges have allowed the Health Department to focus greater attention on other health needs of the community, like mental health. We are here with you as we face this crisis.
Springfield-Greene County Health has a list of local mental health resources on our website: health.springfieldmo.gov/mentalhealth. If you are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–8255. For more information on the Community Health Needs Assessment and the Health Department’s priority health issues, visit ozarkshealthcommission.org.