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    Depression

    Depression is a persistent low mood that interferes with daily life and relationships. The good news is that depression is highly treatable, with around 80% of those receiving treatment reporting improvement. If you think you might be depressed, it’s important to talk to someone about getting help.

    Recognizing Depression

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    You might be experiencing depression if there’s a noticeable change in how you think and feel. Common symptoms include:

    • Feeling unhappy or empty.
    • Having dark and gloomy thoughts.
    • Thinking about death or suicide.
    • Feeling numb.
    • Thinking that you’re worthless or a failure.
    • Constantly criticizing and blaming yourself.
    • Being unable to concentrate.
    • Finding it very difficult to make decisions.
    • Feeling unmotivated to do anything.
    • Losing interest in activities that you used to enjoy.

    Other signs of depression include changes in behavior, such as:

    • Crying frequently.
    • Not performing as well at school or work.
    • Avoiding friends.
    • Being grumpy and irritable with family and friends.
    • Having trouble sleeping or staying in bed all day.
    • Not eating because you don’t feel hungry.

    It’s important to recognize these symptoms and seek help.

    Anxiety

    Anxiety is your body’s reaction to danger or stress. It can be really helpful in some situations, like when you need to jump out of the way of a speeding car. But sometimes, it’s like your body thinks you’re in danger when you aren’t. That’s when anxiety can stop you from enjoying life. Learn more about anxiety disorders and getting help below

    Is anxiety a disorder

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    Everyone feels anxious at times. But if your anxiety is impacting your life and changing the way you think, feel, and act, it might be an anxiety disorder. Here are some signs of various anxiety disorders:

    • An intense fear of a specific object or situation.
    • A fear of embarrassing yourself in public or worry that people are judging you.
    • A constant feeling of uneasiness and difficulty relaxing.
    • Unpleasant thoughts and feelings about a past traumatic event.
    • Repeating certain behaviors like counting or hand washing because it seems to help stop the anxiety.
    • Sudden overwhelming feelings of terror that may include a fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, a fear of having a heart attack, or fear that you’re going “crazy.”

    What can I do if I have anxiety?

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    Anxiety disorders are treatable. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can get back to enjoying life and achieving your goals.

    • Counselling: Counsellors or mental health professionals can help you work through the thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and triggers contributing to your anxiety. They can also teach you coping skills.
    • Medication: Anti-anxiety medications can be used in combination with counselling to reduce your body’s response to anxiety.
    • Support groups: You are not alone. Anxiety disorder support groups are a great way to share your experiences and learn from the experiences of others.
    • Self-help: Making small lifestyle changes can reduce your anxiety.
      • Get regular exercise.
      • Eat well.
      • Use relaxation techniques.
      • Spend time with friends and family.
      • Be spiritually active.
      • Avoid coffee, drugs, and alcohol.
    Cutting and Self-Harm

    When someone hurts themselves to deal with painful and difficult feelings, it’s called self-harm. Read below to find out more about the self-harming behavior and how to get help.

    Variations of Self Harm

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    Self-harm can take many forms, including but not limited to:

    • Cutting: Using sharp objects to make cuts on the skin.
    • Burning: Using heat sources to burn the skin.
    • Scalding: Pouring hot liquids onto the skin.
    • Stabbing: Using sharp objects to puncture the skin.
    • Banging Body Parts Against a Wall: Hitting parts of the body against hard surfaces.
    • Hair-Pulling: Pulling out hair from the scalp or other areas of the body.
    • Biting: Biting oneself to cause pain or injury.
    • Breaking Bones: Deliberately causing fractures or breaks in bones.
    • Jumping from Heights or in Front of Vehicles: Engaging in risky behaviors that can lead to serious injury or death.
    • Swallowing or Inserting Objects into the Body: Ingesting or embedding foreign objects.
    • Self-Poisoning: Ingesting toxic substances or overdosing on medication.

    These behaviors are often a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or stress. If you or someone you know is engaging in self-harm, it’s important to seek professional help immediately.

    What are some of the reasons someone self harms

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    Self-harming is an unhealthy coping method. You might harm yourself to:

    • Cope with anxiety or depression.
    • Cope with loss, trauma, violence, or other difficult situations.
    • Punish yourself.
    • Turn emotional pain into physical pain.
    • Feel ‘real’ and replace feelings of emptiness or numbness.
    • Feel euphoria.
    • Feel like you’re in control of your body.
    • Simply feel better.

    What should I do if I am thinking about self harming?

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    If You’re Thinking of Hurting Yourself

    • Call the Crisis Hotline: Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

    Go to the Nearest Hospital: Seek emergency care for urgent medical treatment

    Getting Help with Coping Skills

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    Talk to a Counselor or Mental Health Professional: They can provide support and teach you healthy ways to manage difficult emotions.

    Reach Out to a Supportive Adult: Share your feelings with someone you trust, such as a family member, teacher, or mentor.

    Attend a Support Group: Joining a group where you can share experiences and learn from others can be beneficial.

    Resources for Support

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    Resources for Support

    • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
    • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Provides a helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) for assistance with finding treatment and support.

    Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength. There are many resources and people ready to support you through difficult times.

    Addictions

    Some people who use substances like alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs, become dependent on them. If your substance use is causing problems at work, home, school, or in relationships, but you keep using it, you might have an addiction. You have many options for getting help. 

    What are the signs and symptoms of addiction?

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    Recognizing addiction involves observing certain patterns and behaviors:

    • Neglecting Responsibilities: Failing to meet obligations at school, work, or home due to substance use.
    • Dangerous Situations: Using substances in risky situations, like driving under the influence or using unclean needles.
    • Relationship Issues: Experiencing conflicts in personal relationships because of substance use.
    • Tolerance: Needing increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effects.
    • Withdrawal Relief: Using substances to alleviate withdrawal symptoms like nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
    • Loss of Control: Using more of the substance than intended or engaging in activities despite wanting to stop.
    • Substance-Centric Life: Spending a lot of time using, thinking about, obtaining, and recovering from substances.
    • Lifestyle Changes: Abandoning hobbies or activities once enjoyed.
    • Continued Use Despite Harm: Persisting in substance use despite knowing it’s causing significant problems.
    • Legal and Housing Issues: Facing homelessness or legal consequences due to substance-related behaviors.

    Seeking Help for Addiction

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    If you decide to stop using substances, several support options are available:

    • Counseling: Engage with a mental health professional to understand your triggers, develop safety plans, and access local resources.
    • Daytox Programs: Participate in medically monitored day programs to safely withdraw from substances.
    • Detox Programs: Stay in a short-term residential program, typically five to seven days, to become substance-free and work on personal goals.
    • Long-Term Treatment: Access long-term, intensive residential support to aid in recovery.
    • Support Groups: Join groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to learn recovery steps and share experiences with others.
    • Financial Assistance: Some programs, such as Agreements with Young Adults (AYA), provide financial support for treatment if you meet eligibility criteria.
    Birth Control Options

    It’s a good idea to talk to a health care professional about what will work best for you. The information below is a good place to start.

    Medicaid generally covers the cost of birth control in the United States. This includes a range of contraceptive methods such as birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, patches, and emergency contraception. Coverage specifics can vary by state, as each state administers its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, but family planning services, including birth control, are typically covered without cost-sharing.

    What Options are Available?

    Hormonal Methods

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    Hormonal methods mimic natural hormones in the woman’s body, typically preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. These prescription birth control methods are generally covered by Medicaid and other insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act:

    • Birth Control Pill:
      • Effectiveness: 92%
    • Patch:
      • Effectiveness: 92%
    • NuvaRing:
      • Effectiveness: 92%
    • Depo-Provera (Depo shot):
      • Effectiveness: 97%

    Condoms

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    Condoms act as a barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

    • Male Condom:
      • Effectiveness: 85%
      • Cost: $0.50 – $2 each
    • Female Condom:
      • Effectiveness: 79%
      • Cost: $1.50 – $5 each
      • Some clinics provide free or low-cost condoms, especially for youth and young adults.

    Intrauterine Device (IUD)

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    IUDs are small, T-shaped devices inserted into a woman’s uterus by a doctor. IUDs are often covered by Medicaid and other insurance plans:

    • Copper IUD:
      • Effectiveness: 99.2%
    • Hormonal IUD:
      • Effectiveness: 99.9%

    How do I access free birth control?

    You can obtain a prescription for birth control from various healthcare providers, including walk-in clinics, hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies.

    To access birth control options covered under Medicaid or insurance plans:

    1. Get a Prescription: Visit a healthcare provider to get a prescription for birth control.
    2. Present Prescription: Present your prescription and insurance information at any pharmacy.
    3. Receive Birth Control: The pharmacist will fill your prescription, often at no cost to you.

    What about if you don’t have medicade?

    For Birth Control Not Covered by Insurance

    Some birth control methods may not be fully covered by insurance. For these options:

    • Low-Cost Clinics: Visit clinics that offer free or low-cost birth control. Visit Planned Parenthood or something similar in your area
    • Income Assistance: Some programs offer additional coverage for individuals on income assistance.
    • Non-Insured Health Benefits: Certain birth control methods are covered for Indigenous peoples through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.

    References:

    American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Birth Control: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Contraception. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm

    Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). Birth Control Methods. Retrieved from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control