Is mental health care considered “care” in the first place? One in five U.S. adults struggle with mental illness and, for many individuals, receiving care begins in crisis state events.
Patients struggle with symptoms for months, even years, gaslighting themselves into thinking everything is “fine.” At times, even professionals can be dismissive of symptoms, but I do not blame the pros for not knowing when a patient is on the cusp of serious mental distress. They spend years learning about their field in lectures and clinical settings, but every day brings a new challenge.
Treating the mind needs a more holistic lens but, in western medicine, this can be harder to achieve. In a world of prioritizing the “hustle” or simply providing for a family, small warning signs should be taken seriously. Your work, relationships, passion projects or school need a functioning mind, body and soul to keep going.
On Oct. 4, I attended the annual NAMIWalk, a “mental health awareness fundraiser and advocacy event,” hosted by the National Alliance for Mental Illness. More than 800 registrants, mental health organizations and volunteers came together to shed light on mental health.
Olivia Heffernan, the Communications, Events and Youth Services manager and NAMIWalks organizer opened the event by sharing her personal connection with NAMI. She presented a witty and brave woman named Angela. She is an immigrant who at one point tried taking her own life. Once she was face to face with a professional, he affirmed that her life mattered and her son needed her. Angela then went on to culinary school and is now an activist for mental health.
There is no doubt we are all living through challenging times. Chaos is everywhere and we are the only ones responsible for allocating time for our mental and physical well-being. It is much easier said than done considering we live in a constant state of stress and unfortunately, we are taught to deal with it until your world feels like it’s caving in.
I was lucky prior to the event to virtually meet with Heffernan; Laura Parmer-Lohan, the executive director; and Rocio Cornejo Panameno, the education and volunteer director. For those who don’t know, NAMI has deep roots in San Mateo County. In the 1960s and ’70s, a group of parents were frustrated with the lack of mental health care for their schizophrenic adult children and created the Parents of Adult Schizophrenics. The organization evolved to become the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Now, the organization focuses on quality research, parity mental health care, increased housing and treatments and services.
Out-of-pocket mental health services come with a hefty price tag. In California, the average cost for a single therapy session is $171. Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist can cost anywhere between $300-$700. For working Americans with mental health benefits, employees can gain limited services depending on the company and as of 2024, 15 million residents in California relied on Medicaid. Now, millions are at risk of losing health care and mental health benefits because of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law by President Donald Trump July 4.
Considering the NAMI San Mateo County team hit a record-breaking number of registrants for the NAMIWalk this year, there will likely be a surge in program participants. A search on NAMI San Mateo County will bombard you with courses and a variety of support groups. For example, Panameno leads the “Compartiendo Esperanza” (“Sharing Hope”) group for Hispanics, one of many communities that tend to culturally be less open to mental health discussions. During our conversation, I teared up when Panameno mentioned a story of a woman who was dealing with a family loss and said, “I didn’t want to stay home by myself. I needed to be with my community.”
It goes to show that we heal in supportive, communal environments.
NAMI is changing people’s stories for the better, minimizing the stigma to mental health and hiring people who are passionate about the cause. From interviewing the team to attending the powerful walk, I realized we need to start viewing mental health similar to health care by adopting a preventative approach that can help people heal. Patients shouldn’t wait until they can’t tolerate their day-to-day lives to be treated. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are more people struggling with their mental health now more than ever, meaning we need to pick up the pace and introduce creative solutions. If you or a loved one is struggling, NAMI San Mateo County offers programs every week for you. Take your first steps for better mental health (you deserve it).
Giselle Espinoza is a longtime San Mateo resident with a bachelor’s degree in communications, working in health care administration. She brings a Gen Z perspective and slight coffee addiction.
(2) comments
Laura Parmer-Lohan sees WALKING (aka Active Transportation) as a tool to fight mental health, but if I remember correctly as Mayor and councilwoman she was opposed to the downtown pedestrian mall.
But most importantly she never provided bike lanes for Safe Routes To School in her community.
It's deeply concerning when politicians only support Active Transportation when it makes money for their cause. Typical San Mateo Democrat.
Thanks for your guest perspective, Ms. Espinoza, but before I accept that “one in five U.S. adults struggle with mental illness” I’d like to know the definition of mental illness being used. For instance, if you say one carries continued hatred and violent thoughts, say against President Trump, then that means they’re mentally ill, I’d say it would be likely be two in five U.S. adults. Regardless, anyone with mental illness, especially those afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome should seek as much help as they can. Based on Letters to the Editor, it appears their mental illness is becoming worse. Good luck to NAMI in making positive changes to negative thoughts and outlooks.
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