SSM Health Medical Minute: Addressing gaps in mental health treatment
Startling statistics reveal a 40% increase in suicide rates in the United States over the past two decades.
Dr. Erick Messias, chair of psychiatry at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and chief medical officer for behavioral health for SSM Health, attributes this trend to various factors, including the opioid epidemic.
“It has definitely changed the shape of suicide risk,” he said. “For example, suicide used to be happening after the age of 60, and now we have more in the middle age group between 45 and 55.”
Messias emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns urgently. He encourages anyone dealing with suicidal thoughts to build a support system and seek help without hesitation.
“The first thing I like to say, ‘Talk to anybody.’ Ask for help. Don’t hide your feelings of depression or anxiety or despair.”
May is Mental Health Month and Dr. Messias says if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, you need to reach out to your doctor or the newly established 988 Crisis Hotline right away.
“Actually, Missouri has one of the largest call centers in the country,” he said. “So, if you call 988, it’s very likely you may call (that) you may be talking to somebody in Missouri.”
The SSM Health team of counselors, psychiatrists, nurses and specialized therapists work to provide support, expertise and individualized care to patients of all ages and their families. SSM Health also has the region’s only urgent walk-in clinic dedicated to mental health, located at 12355 DePaul Drive, Suite 150 in Bridgeton.
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The SSM Health Medical Minute airs Wednesdays on STL News 11 at 7 p.m. and FOX 2 News at 9 p.m.
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