As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues appear to be increasing across the United States. Stressors from fears of illness and death, as well as isolation, seem to have triggered mental health symptoms among many people. Problems with men’s mental health in Nashville have also increased along with national trends. Discovery Place of Nashville, Tennessee is here to help men with substance use disorders often triggered by mental health issues. In addition, our nonprofit program can refer you to Nashville mental health services during your drug and alcohol rehab program.
Understanding Mental Health
Mental health can be challenging for many to understand. Several negative stereotypes and stigmas prevent many people from reaching out for help. As a result, a majority of people with mental health issues do not seek treatment.
Moreover, men with mental health problems might face even more negativity due to traditional gender roles. Many men are taught to push their emotions down and to take care of their problems on their own. Consequently, men with mental illness suffer on their own. Their symptoms only worsen when refusing to seek help.
In addition, underlying mental health issues often result in drug or alcohol abuse to self-medicate symptoms. Men mask their symptoms with drugs and alcohol while numbing their feelings by getting high or drunk. Therefore, treating mental health symptoms often goes hand-in-hand with treating substance use disorders.
While you might feel hopeless about recovery, you can get help for mental health problems. Remember that hopelessness is a common symptom of a mental health disorder. Reaching out for help is the first step to the brighter days ahead of you.
Statistics for Mental Health in Nashville, TN
Most Tennessee and Nashville mental health statistics are similar to or worse than national averages. Some of these numbers are attributed to issues in the pandemic. For instance, isolation and limited availability of in-person health care likely impacted these statistics. However, some of these statistics in Tennessee were somewhat high even before the pandemic.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) offers a summary of mental health in Tennessee, including the following:
- From September 29 to October 11, 2021, 34.% of adults in Tennessee reported symptoms of anxiety or depression (compared to 31.6% nationally)
- 19.4% of adults in 2018-2019 reported having any mental illness, similar to the total US rate of 19.9%
- In addition, 7.8% of adults in Tennessee reported having a major depressive episode in 2018-2019, also similar to the national rate of 7.5%
- In 2018 to 2019, 4.7% of adults in Tennessee had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, similar to the national rate of 4.6%
- 31.4% of adults in Tennessee reported depression or anxiety with an unmet need for therapy or counseling from September 29 to October 11, 2021 (higher than the national rate of 26.9%)
Therefore, while Tennessee has similar instances of mental health problems as the rest of the US, unmet needs for treatment could worsen these issues statewide. Since substance abuse often co-occurs with mental illness, treatment providers need to help men with both issues. For this reason, Discovery Place connects you with services for mental health in Nashville during your substance abuse treatment.
Most Common Mental Health Disorders
Some mental health disorders are more common than others. Mental health disorders also range in severity of symptoms. Severe symptoms can be chronic, whereas mild symptoms tend to be episodic. In other words, you might have symptoms briefly or only once in your life with a mild disorder. Conversely, you would likely need ongoing intensive treatment for a severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI).
Common mental health disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
Underlying mental health disorders often co-occur with substance abuse. For this reason, many drug and alcohol treatment centers also treat co-occurring mental health disorders. In addition, substance abuse treatment facilities can connect you with a mental health treatment provider.
Treatment for Mental Health in Nashville, TN
Mental health is often treated by combining psychotherapy with holistic approaches. In addition, you might receive psychiatric medications to treat mental health symptoms. These medications include anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-anxiety prescriptions.
Psychotherapy can be one-on-one or with a group. During group psychotherapy, a trained therapist guides the group as you share past and present experiences with your peers. You also get to practice dealing with conflicts by role-playing with your peers.
Common psychotherapy practices include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
Holistic approaches to mental health treatment emphasize the whole person in recovery. That is to say, holistic approaches focus on other parts of your health and well-being. Healing from a mental health disorder often involves caring for your physical, social, financial, and spiritual wellness.
Holistic approaches to mental health treatment in Nashville include:
- Exercise
- Mindfulness
- Outdoor recreation
- Yoga
- Breathwork and meditation
- Life skills training
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Volunteer work
In short, mental health treatment involves learning coping skills to reduce stress, increase motivation, and improve thought processes.
Start Treatment for Men’s Mental Health in Nashville, TN
Mental health and substance abuse often co-occur, as one may cause the other or vice versa. Therefore, if you have a substance use disorder, you might need mental health treatment as well. Discovery Place can refer you to Nashville or Murfreesboro mental health services during drug and alcohol rehab at our facility. Last but not least, we offer funding options for those who don’t have insurance to cover rehab. Call or reach out to us through our contact form today to learn more about our substance abuse treatment program for men.
