The Multicultural Health Institute Cancer Resources

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Mental Health

Your mental health matters. Learning how to cope with your mental health should not be an isolating event. No matter what you are struggling with, there are resources and people to assist you. Read below to learn more about various mental health disorders and conditions below.

Depression

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects the lives of many Americans in the United States. 1 in 25 million individuals in the United States struggle with getting out of bed and finding joy in their work or their hobbies. Symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy, energy loss, and thoughts of death and suicide may be signs of depression. However, it is important to understand that you are not alone and that depression does not need to be faced alone either, explore our links below to learn more about clinical depression and how you can rediscover the path to enjoy getting out of bed again.

Depression Scales

The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D or HRSD) measures depression in individuals before, during, and after treatment. The scale is administered by health care professionals and contains 21, but is scored based on the first 17 items, which are measured either on a 5-point or 3-point scale. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete and scores.

You can learn more about the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression here.

You can access the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression here.

Anxiety

Anxiety often manifests as feelings of anxiousness or discomfort in certain life experiences. However, when that feeling of nervousness becomes intense and does not go away on its own and increasingly gets worse over time, something bigger may be happening. If you experience life this way, you are not alone. Help exists for anxiety, and you don’t have to hesitate to explore our links below to learn more about anxiety and effective ways to reduce it from being so present in your everyday life.

Anxiety Scales

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) represents an anxiety measure based on seven items which are scored from zero to three. The whole scale score can range from 0 to 21 and cut-off scores for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety symptoms are 5, 10, and 15.

You can learn more about the Generalized Anxiety 7-item ( GAD-7) for Anxiety here.

You can access the Generalized Anxiety 7-item (GAD-7) here.

Addiction

1 in 7 Americans will experience addiction at some point in their lives. If you struggle with going for extended periods of time without having an alcoholic beverage or usage of a substance, there is a chance you may have an addiction. If you notice this, don’t panic. Recognizing you might have an addiction is an important first step in overcoming it and our resources below can help you find the assistance that will make that journey easier.

PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was initially associated with trauma that soldiers faced in war. Since then, additional research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder is caused due to witnessing or experiencing a terribly distressing event. Almost everyone has experienced something traumatic, such as the loss of a parent, a terrible car accident, or witnessing a distressing event. For some, the distress and horror of that event never seem to go away. This is not a sign of weakness and if you experience this, you are not alone. The road to recovering from PTSD does not have to be traveled alone either. Our links below can help educate you and find the assistance to help you toward recovery.

Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are traumatic events that occur before a child reaches the age of 18. Adverse Childhood Experiences may include all types of abuse and neglect, such as parental substance abuse use, incarceration, and domestic violence. Adverse Childhood Experiences can also include situations that may cause Trauma for a child, such as having a parent with a mental illness or being part of a family going through a divorce.

You can learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences here.

Please feel free to watch this video for more information.

Eating Disorders

Food can become more than just a nutrient to some people. It can become a source of joy, be used to cope with anxiety, or even be the cause of anxiety experienced daily. However, if you frequently eat food when bored, stressed, or have no desire to eat food at all, you may be displaying signs of an eating disorder. If you are unsure whether you have an eating disorder but wonder if there is a possibility based on how much or little you eat, it does not hurt to explore our links below and educate yourself on the different types of eating disorders that exist and the different people that can help you find the answer. Nothing has to be a solo journey and your questions and health matter.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a common and serious mental condition that affects the lives of many Americans in the United States. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that can cause intense mood swings ranging from extreme highs (mania) or extreme lows (depression). If you experience life this way, you are not alone. Help exists for those with bipolar disorder. We urge you to explore our links below for resources that may help you with treatment.

Schizophrenia

Have you ever heard voices in your head, seen things that weren’t there, or believed that others are reading or controlling your mind? If so, you may be displaying signs of schizophrenia. Those with schizophrenia often cannot tell the difference between reality and their hallucinations. If you feel that you may experience life this way, you are not alone. Aid and assistance exist for those with schizophrenia, and we urge you to explore our links below for resources that may help you with treatment.

Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurological condition related to brain development that impacts how a person interacts with others. The term “spectrum” is used due the fact that symptoms can range in a variety of severity. Those on the autism spectrum often experience difficulties with social communication, have restricted interests, and have specific food interests. If you feel that you may have Autism, there’s no need to worry. Help exists for those with Autism regardless of placement on the spectrum. We urge you to further educate yourself more about autism and to explore our links below for resources that may help you with treatment.

ADHD

Attention Defict Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that can manifest as having difficulty paying attention, poor time management skills, and impulsiveness. Oftentimes those with ADHD may have symptoms that overlap with Autsim. If you feel that you may have Autism or ADHD, there is no need to worry. Help exists for those with ADHD. We urge you to further educate yourself more about ADHD and to explore our links below for resources that may help you with treatment.

How to help friends & loved ones struggling with their Mental Health

If you have friends that are struggling with their mental health, it can sometimes be difficult to show that you care and love them. Some ways you can show support to your loved one is by doing some of the following: