FINDING SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
By Melissa DeSutter, Colorado Springs LIVING WELL Magazine
The power of a thoughtful conversation can sometimes be life changing. “My daughter was talking with my pharmacist one day, and he suggested I needed to get some help,” said Mary*, a previous client in Peak View Behavioral Health’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
Mary lost her husband after more than half a century of marriage and felt the sense of grief and loss to be too overwhelming at times. She decided to talk to her primary care physician about options. The physician suggested Peak View Behavioral Health.
“I didn’t realize there was a place like this for people in my position where people can go, talk to people and get help,” Mary said.
ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW
Peak View is a behavioral health hospital specializing in the needs of older adults in Colorado Springs. The hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient services, depending on the person’s needs. Their goal is to provide the highest quality of behavioral health with compassion, empathy and perseverance.
“Many people resist treatment based on images propagated by mass media and culture,” CEO of PVBH Gary Miller says. Miller says portrayals of those struggling with mental illness and their treatment options are frightening and powerful sources of misinformation. “It’s extremely important to have information available about what mental illness really is and how it can be effectively and compassionately treated,” he explains.
DIFFERENT RESPONSES
A person who is dealing with grief and loss often times experiences feelings of sadness or anxiety that last for weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People do not always experience the same severity in symptoms when they might be feeling depressed. The amount of time and how often symptoms last can also vary. It is important to be sensitive if a loved one decides to seek treatment. There are a variety of ways to treat symptoms, including one-on-one counseling, group therapy and/or medication management.
“I have to get through the grieving process and this place has helped me,” Mary said. “Some days there are good days and some days there are bad days but it’s a growing process.”
If you know someone who may need help, please call Peak View Behavioral Health at 719-444-8484 or email Melissa at mdesutter@strategicbh.com.
*Mary’s name has been changed for privacy reasons. She willingly agreed to publicly share her story for this publication.
Signs/Symptoms of Depression
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Hopelessness
Guilt/helplessness
Restlessness/worthlessness
Sadness/feelings of emptiness
Decreased energy levels/fatigue
Difficulty making decisions
Loss of appetite/overeating
Insomnia/excessive sleeping
Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Thoughts or attempts of suicide