Download May 15, 2015 - Ochiltree General Hospital Stresses the Importance

Press Release
Media Contact
Nathan Staggs | [email protected]
806-435-3606
For Immediate Release
Ochiltree General Hospital Stresses the Importance of Mental Health
Hospital opens up about the importance of identifying the symptoms of mental disorders.
PERRYTON, Texas (May 15, 2015) – Ochiltree General Hospital (OGH) is joining a nationwide initiative
this May to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of your mental health needs. We’ve
joined with other mental health professionals and caregivers celebrating May as Mental Health
Awareness month in an effort to shatter stereotypes and stigmas.
One in four adults suffer with issues relating to their mental health, and just like our physical wellbeing
if a mental health problem is left untreated it can contribute to the onset if serious medical conditions
such as major depressive disorder, anxiety and personality disorders, and or the misuse of drugs,
tobacco and alcohol , leading to addictions.
According to Marcia Nelson, a licensed Master‘s social worker at OGH, chronic stress is widely believed
to accelerate biologic aging. Because the immune system’s defense mechanisms become impaired as we
grow older, our ability to resist infection progressively declines. So does our ability to respond
effectively to other causes of inflammation that have been implicated in age related atherosclerosis,
osteoporosis, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, cancers and dementia. If left untreated, prolonged or severe
stress can snowball into a serious condition “No matter one’s age, mental health is a serious issue in our
country and we must all work together to fight the negative labels that are commonly associated with
these involuntary (or unplanned) conditions,” explains Nelson, who also manages the CrossRoads
program at OGH. “Seniors in particular are less likely to seek help, and that is something we want to
change here in our community.”
The CrossRoads program is designed with seniors in mind, offering individual, family and group therapy
and counseling services that provide opportunities for people to explore, address, and find new ways to
cope with life’s challenges and changes. Included with our mental health care services, we offer
therapeutic activities that are designed to increase social learning, cognitive thinking, and physical
mobility and support memory recall. Delicious meals (diet specific when necessary) and healthy snacks
are also available.
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Ochiltree General Hospital
3101 Garrett Dr. | Perryton, TX 79070 | 806-435-3606
Ochiltree General Hospital Stresses the Importance of Mental Health
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Individuals often face barriers in life, leading to adjustment issues, difficulty coping, loneliness, sadness
depression, and anxiety – among other feelings. The licensed professionals and mental health care
providers at OGH help patients by assessing their needs and creating recommendations with primary
care physicians and psychiatrists.
“No matter how large or small the issue, our patients are often surprised to realize how talking with a
professional or in a group can make a huge difference,” Nelson adds. “Some patients see us for a short
time, while others attend regularly. No two cases are the same as we create individualized care plans
based on the needs of each person.”
Signs to look for vary based on the condition, but often include one or more of the following: social
withdrawal, loss of interest in others or activities that were once fun, difficulty focusing or over thinking
situations with no resolution, and loss of general initiative, feelings of disconnectedness and continual
sadness, nervousness, peculiar behavior, dramatic changes in sleep and appetites, and/or rapid and
dramatic changes in moods.
If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended that
you seek professional assistance. CrossRoads accepts self-referrals and offers free evaluations. Ongoing
services are generally covered by Medicare and most private insurances. For more information, please
call 806-648-7158.
“When we all talk about Mental Health, we begin to break down the barriers that facilitate faulty
thinking when it comes to depression and anxiety. We educate the public and remove negative language
that is too often associated with mental health and mental sicknesses. Beginning to curate an open
dialogue with each other is what Mental Health Awareness month is all about,” Nelson says. “That’s the
important first step to combating mental illnesses.”
About Ochiltree General Hospital
Ochiltree General Hospital provides healthcare for residents of Ochiltree County. Founded in 1967,
Ochiltree General Hospital is a 25-bed healthcare facility that offers a wealth of medical services
including: 24 hour emergency care, advanced radiology services including CT scanning and MRIs,
outpatient lab, surgical services, physical rehabilitation, assisted living, CrossRoads, home health and
hospice services, and more. For additional information, please visit www.ochiltreehospital.com.
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Ochiltree General Hospital
3101 Garrett Dr. | Perryton, TX 79070 | 806-435-3606
Ochiltree General Hospital
3101 Garrett Dr. | Perryton, TX 79070 | 806-435-3606