Investing in mental health and substance use awareness,

screening, treatment, and surveillance in St. Louis The advice to "invest in mental health and drug use awareness, screening, treatment, and monitoring" is the main topic of this Conversation Guide. In order to bring this discussion to your community and take action to support mental health in the St. Louis area, we invite you to use the Action Toolkit that comes with this Conversation Guide. The Discussion Guide and the Action Toolkit are also available in a digital format with more materials.

BACKGROUND

Our behavioural health—which includes issues with mental well-being and drug abuse—is a crucial component of our general health.

It affects all aspect of our life, including the way we feel, behave, and think. It may also have an impact on our physical health by making us more susceptible to illness and death. Adults with major mental illness pass away 25 years sooner than the typical American, usually as a result of curable physical illnesses. 1

The effects of behavioural health start young. Children who suffer stressors like abuse, neglect, or home dysfunction have a greater risk of developing health problems and disease later in life, according to research on toxic stress and trauma. 2

Behavioral health has an influence on our communities as much as on individuals.

The state of behavioural health in our region

In St. Louis City and County, many of the national trends in behavioural health are also prevalent. Despite the fact that mental illness does not discriminate, not everyone has equal access to services and treatment.

Black Americans attend the emergency department for mental health disorders at a rate that is more than double that of whites, according to 2013 emergency room statistics from the whole St. Louis region, indicating a lack of access to more suitable and affordable choices.

While they are overrepresented in inpatient care, Black Americans are underrepresented in outpatient care (12). St Louis therapist  Black Americans are more likely than whites to be hospitalised for mental illness after seeking treatment. For instance, Black Americans in St. Louis were hospitalised at a rate of 202.3 per 10,000 in 2013, compared to 122.8 for all people.

STRATEGIES

What can be done to enhance the mental health of everyone in our community, especially those who have been underserved, in light of the gaps in our present behavioural health system?

Start young

Emotional well-being starts in childhood with preventative interventions, screening, treatment, and support, much like physical well-being does. Later in life, these investments may have a major impact on breaking negative cycles, lowering the risk of chronic illness, and enhancing general mental health. 16

There are chances to increase the efficacy of traditional forms of community-based mental health treatment for children based on research, which needs to be done. For instance, it has been discovered that collaborative care teams, which combine primary care and mental health treatments, boost service access. 17

The best way to raise the standard of care for all children is to invest in evidence-based methods through financing, education, and evaluation.

Local examples include:

Alive & Well STL is a community-wide initiative that was started by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) with the goal of lessening the effects of toxic stress and trauma on the area's health and wellbeing.   St Louis counselling effort aims to make St. Louis a city that is trauma-informed and to enhance general emotional wellness through media and public outreach, trainings, events, and ambassadors that represent the community.

Awareness is crucial for both prevention and early intervention, which can change behaviour.

Improve access for high-risk populations

Alive & Well STL is a community-wide initiative that was started by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) with the goal of lessening the effects of toxic stress and trauma on the area's health and wellbeing. The effort aims to make St. Louis a city that is trauma-informed and to enhance general emotional wellness through media and public outreach, trainings, events, and ambassadors that represent the community.

Awareness is crucial for both prevention and early intervention, which can change behaviour.

There are many steps you can take to invest in behavioral health for all in St. Louis.

 Alive & Well STL is a community-wide initiative that was started by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) with the goal of lessening the effects of toxic stress and trauma on the area's health and wellbeing. The effort aims to make St. Louis a city that is trauma-informed and to enhance general emotional wellness through media and public outreach, trainings, events, and ambassadors that represent the community.

Awareness is crucial for both prevention and early intervention, which can change behaviour.

Our quality of life, both as people and as a region, depends heavily on behavioural health.

In order to address the role that trauma, toxic stress, mental illness, and drug misuse play in our community and make sure that everyone has access to the behavioural health resources they require, we all have a role to play in these efforts. There are various methods to work towards increasing the quantity and calibre of mental health services in our area.

Also, we need to try to eliminate the stigma that discourages many people from getting treatment in the first place. Public education and awareness, screenings, early intervention, equal access, evidence-based therapy, and regular tracking and monitoring are all essential components of effective programmes. You can support. Be an innovator and change agent in your neighbourhood.