Mental Health

Jump to another page... Introduction Chronic depression Leisure time physical activity Percent of individuals sought help for mental health Binge drinking Chronic Drinking (60+ drinks/month average) Average days with poor mental health Routine annual checkups Affective disorder hospitalization rate Schizophrenia hospitalization rate Age-adjusted mortality for suicide Years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to suicide

A vital community pays attention to mental health concerns. Understanding mental illness, how mental illness can be prevented and where to turn for treatment can be helpful in dealing with this perplexing concern. Like physical health, mental health is impacted by biological, physiological, social and cultural factors. Evidence that physical activity supports good mental health is mounting. Physical activity is increasingly used as a therapy and treatment for mental heath problems.

Former Surgeon General David Satcher commented “as a society we have not given enough attention to mental health.” Mental health is, “The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt, to change, and to cope with adversity”.³⁸

Across the lifespan, mental health plays a crucial role in every aspect of human interaction regardless of gender, ethnicity, or the socio-economic environment.. In the preface to the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala indicated, “mental health is fundamental health.”³⁹ The major mental health concern faced by the US population is depression. For our youth, it is important that we strive to lighten the burden of depression and other mental illness through increased awareness, access, and understanding of these conditions.

In Bexar County, 14 percent of the jail population has been found to have some form of mental illness.⁴⁰ The Bexar County Jail Diversion Program screens individuals who enter the criminal justice system for behavioral or psychological symptoms related to underlying serious mental illness and diverts them to mental health facilities.

Action can be taken to prevent mental health problems. Physical activity is believed to improve the quality of life for those dealing with mental health problems by strengthening the ability to cope with life's everyday challenges. Physical activity has been credited as improving overall mental well-being. People who exercise report an improved body image, improved mood, and reduced sleep difficulties.⁴¹

Participants in team sport clubs and exercise clubs may reap the additional benefit that the social environment can have on mental health. Members to these social organizations frequently report a sense of cohesion and belonging. Among the research being conducted today, is how the social environment has an impact on society and in what ways it can contribute to disease.⁴²

Programs that promote seeking treatment for depression and emotional concerns can raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with receiving mental health care.

Chronic depression

The National Institute of Mental Health reports depression as a leading cause of disability and ranks it second in terms of disease burden.⁴³ Left untreated, cases of depression can often lead to suicide. The World Health Organization reports that 25 percent of the population will develop some form of mental disorder at some point in life and that the number of people suffering from depression is near 121 million⁴⁴ For the purposes of this report, chronic depression is defined as feeling depressed or sad for two or more years of life. Data about depression were not collected in the 2004 or 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS). As a serious community health concern, to help maintain emphasis on depression, information from 2002 is reported. In 2002, 24 percent of the respondents in Bexar County reported they felt depressed for 2 or more years. The residents of South and West sectors of the county both reported 30 percent suffering from chronic depression. Closely behind are the East and the North Central sectors with 27 and 25 percent respectively. The residents of the Northeast and Northwest sectors reported the lowest percentage suffering chronic depression.

Leisure time physical activity

Participation in non-work related physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Recent research shows that regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy heart and healthy circulation; it improves blood flow and blood pressure. It also lowers glucose levels, helps with weight loss, and strengthens muscles.

Consequently, exercise helps prevent depression. It is not necessary to engage in strenuous activity to get the benefits of exercise. Moderate exercise such as brisk walking most days of the week for 20 minutes is sufficient to benefit the cardiovascular system. Exercise may have other health benefits, such as relaxation and stress reduction.

Since 2002, the percentage of people who report they have engaged in leisure time activity in the last 30 days has increased slightly across Texas. Both Bexar and Harris Counties have seen a more significant increase in the number of people who exercise. In Bexar County, the proportion of people who exercised in the past 30 days increased from 68 percent in 2002 to 76 percent in the period 2004-2005. This is slightly higher than the 73 percent that was reported by all Texans. The residents living in sectors in the south of the county were less active than the state average ranging from 63 to 69 percent who exercise. Seventy-five percent of residents in North Central report they are active. Residents of the Northeast and Northwest sectors were the most active in the county with 83 and 84 percent respectively. Often people think that exercise means vigorous activity like running. It is necessary to inform people that activities like walking 20–30 minutes most days can be beneficial to their health.⁴⁵ Walking can be an important component of a health campaign. The Walk San Antonio program supported by the Greater San Antonio YMCA encourages residents to get out and walk. There are a variety Volkssport clubs throughout the San Antonio area that sponsor group walking events and select hiking trails in the region based on scenic interest, safety and walkability. The Trinity Trekkers and the Texas Wanderers and the Selma Pathfinders are among the several area clubs that belong to the American Volkssport Association. The San Antonio-Bexar County Walkable Community Program sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization promotes walking and bicycling through education in addition to identifying barriers and infrastructure improvements. Its services include Walkable Community Workshops, Safe Route to School Workshops, Safety Classes, and Bicycle Rodeos.