Mental Health Care: What To Know and When You Might Need It

Mental health is essential for overall well-being. Physicians no longer view physical health and mental health as two independent systems, but rather see them as constantly influencing each other, according to Louis J. Nardelli, DO , a board-certified Valley Health psychiatrist.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, when we shine a light on mental health. We speak to Dr. Nardelli about the importance of mental health, identifying mental health issues, and finding resources to address them.

Q: How important is mental health to a person’s overall health?

A: Mental health is foundational to overall health. Conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and chronic stress can affect sleep, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes management, immune function, relationships, work performance, and even life expectancy. At the same time, chronic medical illnesses can significantly impact emotional well-being.

Good mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness. It is the ability to function, adapt, maintain relationships, maintain stress, and experience purpose and fulfillment in life.

Q: How do I know when I need mental health care services?

A: Everyone experiences stress, grief, sadness, and worry during periods within their life, but not everyone during these periods needs to seek formal treatment. The key question is whether symptoms are becoming persistent, disruptive, more intense, and impairing your ability to function.

Some signs that you may need to seek professional support include:

• Loved ones expressing concern about your behavior or well-being
• Thoughts of self-harm, hopelessness, or feeling overwhelmed
• Emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation or persist for weeks and interfere with daily life
• Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, events, or hobbies

Q: I’m embarrassed to seek help. Is this normal?

A: It is very important to know that reaching out and seeking help does not mean that a person is broken or weak. It actually shows good insight and proactive self-care. One of the most important things we try to communicate is that seeking mental health care should be viewed no differently than seeking care for high blood pressure, asthma, or chronic pain. Early recognition and treatment can often improve outcomes, reduce suffering, and help people remain connected to their families, work, and communities.

Q: What should I do if I think I need mental health care services?

A: For some people, supportive family members are often a good starting point to reflect on what you are feeling. For others, a primary care physician can provide initial assessments, rule out medical contributors, begin treatment, or make the appropriate referral to behavioral health if needed.

You can also seek direct care from online resources such as psychologytoday.com, where you can find lists of available clinical therapist or counselors within the area.

If symptoms are severe, especially if someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, psychosis, severe substance use, or feels unsafe, they should seek immediate help through their local Emergency Services.

Additionally, you can call 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available to anyone in the midst of a crisis.

Q: What mental health services does Valley Health offer?

A: For those looking for a full evaluation by psychology or psychiatry, they can call Valley Health Outpatient Behavioral Health at 540-536-4881, which offers early intervention and treatment to children, adolescents and adults, including those with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.

Winchester Medical Center also has the EMPATH (emergency psychiatric assessment, treatment, and healing) unit, which is open 24/7. The unit helps adults age 18 and older who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit is located between the Emergency Department and the North Tower entrance.

In October, Valley Health will open its new Behavioral Health Pavilion to further expand their mental health services and address the full spectrum of mental health care needs of those in the community, from youth to geriatric.

To learn more, please visit  valleyhealthlink.com/behavioralhealth.