OAHHS Winter/Spring 2017

19 / 28

21
Winter/Spring 2017
Kaiser Permanente launches effort to fight stigma around depression
Depression and other mental health issues are common and
touch nearly all of our lives, directly or through connections
to friends, family, or colleagues. But it can be hard to talk
about, even with loved ones.
More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States live with a
mental health condition, and approximately 20 percent of
youth ages 13 to 18 have experienced or will experience a
mental health condition. In about 5 percent, the condition
will be severe.
But treatment works, and there is hope. Kaiser Permanente
is committed to tackling the stigma and is teaming up
with other organizations, including the National Alliance
on Mental Illness, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
Crisis Text Line and Mental Health America, to change the
conversation around mental illness.
The public health awareness effort, “Find Your Words,”
focuses on mental health and wellness with spots for TV,
theater, digital and radio featuring lyrics that talk about
depression in an honest and inspiring way.
The spots drive viewers to , a website that
provides information about depression, offers resources and
invites the public to engage in a conversation about mental
health and wellness through an interactive component.
Total health includes mind, body and spirit—with the
understanding that physical health and mental health are
closely connected. Just as someone would go to the doctor
for strep throat or a broken arm, it’s important to seek care
for mental health issues.
However, people might be reluctant to get help because they
feel ashamed or embarrassed. With this campaign, Kaiser
Permanente and its partners aim to help reduce the stigma
around depression and motivate people across the country
to talk about it.
“The entire nation faces challenges when it comes to
providing high-quality mental health care to those who
need it, but we want people to know that mental health
treatment works and that there is hope,” said Don Mordecai,
MD, national leader for Mental Health and Wellness,
and director of The Permanente Medical Group Mental
Health & Chemical Dependency Services. “We are building
partnerships with national mental health organizations,
and standing together as a strong voice against the stigma
and shame that can hinder some from seeking help.” H
PeaceHealth worker program aids immigrant families
For the past five years, PeaceHealth Cottage Grove
Community Medical Center has provided immigrant
families and children access to health care and community
services through the Community Health Worker Program.
Working in partnership with the Family Resource Center at
South Lane School District, the Community Health Worker
Program supports success in the classroom by ensuring
kids get and stay healthy and receive the family services,
including food, shelter, transportation and language skills,
that are needed to position them to succeed.
PeaceHealth Community Health Worker Ana-Maria Dudley
met Alicia’s family a year ago after they
had emigrated from Guatemala. Alicia
was four years old at the time, and her
mother had brought her to the Family
Relief Center because of a concern for her
health. On examination, it was discovered
Alicia had a significant heart abnormality and required
immediate care.
Her family was assisted in making appointments with
pediatric cardiology specialists and applying for the
medical coverage and services she and her family needed to
obtain her care. Alicia’s heart abnormality was found to be
surgically correctable, and she underwent a successful heart
repair in 2016.
“When I first came here I thought she would live with this
problem all her life, but when I found Ana-Maria at the
school, she helped us find a doctor here in the hospital
who could help us,” said Alicia’s father. “Since her
surgery, Alicia is doing well—she smiles a lot and
hugs a lot, and started kindergarten in September.”
The Community Health Worker Program has helped
more than 300 immigrant children and families
like Alicia’s, and continues to expand annually. H
SPECIAL SECTION: A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY