For Immediate Release: May 22, 2003

For More Information: SD Division of Mental Health, (605) 773-5991

May is Mental Health Month

According to the World Health Organization mental illnesses rank first in terms of disability in the United States and, collectively, are the most prevalent health problem in America today – more common than cancer, lung and heart disease combined.

One in five residents in our community, regardless of race, age, creed, sex or socioeconomic status, suffers from a mental illness. Yet two-thirds of these individuals never seek help due to stigma and lack of mental health knowledge associated with a mental health disorder.

Today, new treatments and community-based services have helped people with serious mental illness reintegrate into their communities and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental illness can erect barriers that prevent people from seeking or receiving appropriate care.  By encouraging people to seek help and supporting those in recovery, we can all work together to decrease the stigma and bring the barriers down.

The state Division of Mental Health serves South Dakotans through the purchase of services with 11 non-profit community mental health centers. Through these centers a comprehensive array of services are provided to children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI).  

In fiscal year 2002, the Division of Mental Health served over 6,500 children and adults through the community mental health centers.  These centers are:

• Behavior Management Systems (BMS) located in Rapid City and serves a ten county area including Bennett, Butte, Custer, Fall River, Harding, Jackson, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington and Shannon.  
• Capital Area Counseling Services, Inc. (CACS) located in Pierre and serves an eight county area including Buffalo, Haakon, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Stanley and Sully.  
• Community Counseling Services, Inc., (CCS) located in Huron and serves a six county area including Beadle, Hand, Jerauld, Lake, Miner and Moody.  
• Dakota Mental Health Center (DMHC) located in Mitchell and serves a five county area including Aurora, Brule, Davison, Hanson and Sanborn.  
• East Central Mental Health/Chemical Dependency Center, Inc. (ECMH/CD) located in Brookings and serves Brookings County in east central South Dakota.  
• Human Service Agency (HSA) located in Watertown and serves a seven county area including Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury and Robert.  
• Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS), located in Yankton and serves a seven county area including Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Clay, Douglas, Hutchinson, Union and Yankton.  
• Northeastern Mental Health Center (NEMHC) located in Aberdeen and serves a ten county area including Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Spink and Walworth.  
• Southeastern Behavioral HealthCare (SBHC) located in Sioux Falls and serves a four county area including McCook, Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Turner.  
• Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services (SPBHS) located in Winner and serves a four county area including Gregory, Mellette, Todd, and Tripp.  
• Three Rivers Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Center (TRMHCDC) located in Lemmon and serves a four county area including Corson, Dewey, Perkins, and Ziebach.  

For more information about mental health services available in your area contact the community mental health center servicing your county or contact the Division of Mental Health toll free at 1(800) 265-9684 or visit online at www.state.sd.us/dhs/dmh. For additional resource information on this subject visit the National Mental Health Association at www.nmha.org, the Center for Mental Health Services at www.mentalhealth.org, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at www.aacap.org, or the American Psychological Association at www.apa.org. 

The National Mental Health Association offers the following tips to improve you mental health-every day. 

Sunday: Relax.

Try meditating, taking a walk in a natural setting, or reaching out spiritually through prayer.  Quiet reflection, alone or in the company of others, can improve your state of mind, strengthen your sense of self and community, and give you time away from a hectic schedule to collect your thoughts and reenergize for the week ahead.

Monday:  Make a plan. 

Decide what tasks you need to complete for the week and make a plan for when and how to do them.  If you are overscheduled, decide what can wait a week or two.  If you don’t have much on your schedule, plan some activities you’ll look forward to.

Tuesday: Surround yourself with supportive people.

Make plans with family members and friends, or seek out activities at which you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.  Reconnect with someone you have lost touch with and create new memories.

Wednesday:  Take care of your body.

Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health.  Be sure to eat nutritious meals, avoid cigarettes, drink alcohol only in moderation, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. 

Thursday:  Give of yourself.

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else.  You’ll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need – and it’s a great way to meet new people who share your interests and compassion.

Friday:  Broaden your horizons.

Create a change of pace or expand your interests.  Explore a new hobby, plan a garden, plan a road-trip, try a new restaurant, take dance lessons, or learn to play an instrument or speak another language. 

Saturday:  Value yourself.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism.  Take stock of the qualities you like about yourself, your accomplishments and abilities.  Take some time every day to relax, reflect and rejuvenate. 

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