Page 20 - Silver Linings Issue3

Ortiz-Schwartz said many schools are integrating mental health supports into the system, which is a positive step.
Several top athletes, including U.S. gymnast Simone Biles and professional tennis player Naomi Osaka, have recently taken off time to focus on their mental health.
Entertainers such as singer Demi Lovato and singer/
actor
Lady Gaga have also opened up about their mental health struggles. These stories, Ortiz-Schwartz
says, can open the door for others to admit to and talk about their
own struggles.
“Those stories help normalize the experience for anybody who is not an elite athlete or otherwise famous,”
she says. “It shows you can be very high functioning on some levels but be
struggling so deeply in other areas of your life.
“It’s powerful when people, particularly young people, hear that it’s OK to not be OK from public figures and be able to move forward and work through things,” she adds. “It is particularly helpful when the public figures say what steps they took to address it and what helped them.”
Former New York Yankee great CC Sabathia writes in his new book about his struggles with addiction and the pivotal role Silver Hill Hospital played in his recovery. The pitcher said he started drinking when he was 14 years old. (See related story in this issue.)
The COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to its devastating physical effects, created a mental health crisis that is expected to last for years. Quarantines, virtual classes, and the cancellation of clubs and sports at schools led to a high
Tips from
Dr. Ortiz-Schwartz
on how to shift your perspective on mental health:
Examine your own bias regarding mental illness.
Direct people to the right types of support.
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Understand other people’s problems before trying to solve them.
Be empathetic, not judgmental. Be aware of science and statistics.
Attend community events focused on mental health and empowering kids.