Springfield-Greene County Health is recognizing World Mental Health Day by encouraging people to make their mental health and wellbeing a priority. World Mental Health Day began in the 1990s as a way to recognize the efforts being made globally to protect and improve our mental health.
This day is even more important as we look back and acknowledge the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our overall wellbeing as a community, including our mental health. The 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment released earlier this year highlighted the above average prevalence of depression and poor mental health in Greene, Christian and Webster counties. Unfortunately, this translates into a suicide mortality rate that is 60% higher than the rest of the country, with one person dying by suicide every 5.5 days.
As a community, more must be done to address the growing mental health crisis that is occurring before it claims more lives. Those experiencing mental or emotional distress or suffering with thoughts of suicide should dial 988 immediately to seek help and support from a trained professional.
Everyone in our community should take time to evaluate what they can do to improve their mental wellbeing. Whether that be intentional self-care, peer support resources, accessing therapy or counseling or speaking with your doctor about other mental health options such as medication. With the rise in depression and anxiety over the past three years reported by the World Health Organization, the Health Department has compiled a list of resources available in our community at sgfmentalhealth.org.
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Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
“Helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
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417-864-1658
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