12-05-2025
Stigma of mental health decreasing, but more resources needed
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Mental health and physical health are so closely related, 'that sometimes mental health causes physical health concerns, and vice versa' said Derrick Booth. the Executive Director of Community Services at Trillium Place.
Booth stopped by WMBD This Morning to share thoughts, outlooks and discoveries during Mental Health Awareness month.
He said some recent improvements in mental health treatments include that since Covid, 'the 'stigma' has definitely gotten better. We are finding more spaces to be comfortable to talk about our mental health, without that 'stigma' attached, but there's still a lot more work to do.'
Some of that work includes, he continued, 'there's a lot of individuals that are suffering in silence, there's a lot of education that needs to be done, to understand what mental health issues feel like, and to also be able to recognize when you have a loved one or a friend that may be struggling with mental health and how to support them.'
The other side of the coin according to Booth, is that while resources have increased, the shrinking of the 'stigma' means more people are coming forward in need of services, 'and we're also seeing mental health concerns in youth younger and younger' he said.
Booth recommends that 'just like we go get physical checkups from our primary care provider, it's important for us to do our own mental health checkups.'
He also encourages self-mental Health checkups: ' That's just asking yourself, 'How am I feeling today? How am I doing? Do I feel feelings of worry or stress or depression? 'and then ask yourself what's causing those feelings.'
He also advises to 'make sure we're getting the basic needs like food, and sleep and exercise, and water, those basic things that help our physical health, but also help our mental health.'
Another important point to Booth is 'making sure you have at least one individual in your life that you can share with, that you can talk with, that can give you good advice.'
Booth recommends the 'Mental Health First-Aid' course available through Trillium Place.
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