BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s World Mental Health Day and though the stigma of seeking services is dissipating, some still may struggle with making the call for help.
World Mental Health Day is recognized by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of global mental health issues and support mental health resources.
"I think most people wait too long and they suffer more, longer, than they need to suffer,” said Leslie Ten Broeck, clinic director at Ellie Mental Health clinic in Bethlehem.
The new Lehigh Valley clinic aims to close the gap in mental health care.
"Our goal is to find you the right person."Leslie Ten Broeck, clinic director, Ellie Mental Health
"The biggest reason to do a World Mental Health Day is because there are so many people out there who are struggling and are not connected to services,” Ten Broeck said.
She stressed the importance of finding the right clinician for each individual's needs and financial situation. Ten Broeck said those who work at Ellie are working to do just that.
“You're not alone,” she said.
“So many people struggle with mental health issues or even just life stressors. It doesn't even rise to the level of mental health problems, but so many people are out there, and counseling can work for everybody.”
Look at a person's overall health
Ellie Mental Health Clinic's Bethlehem location opened at 2151 Emerick Boulevard in August and has more than 250 locations nationwide.
"Our goal is to find you the right person," Ten Broeck said.
"So whether that's somebody that's dealing with neurodivergence, Autism Spectrum kind of disorders, garden variety, depression and anxiety."
The first step, she said, is to look at a person’s overall health and determine whether they are getting what they need physically.
She said it’s important that the patient be seen by a primary care doctor in addition to a mental health professional. That way if someone needs medication, a physician can provide the recommendation.
Ten Broeck said sessions at Ellie can range from once a month to a couple of times a week depending on the person seeking mental health services.
Stigma and discrimination often prevent people with mental health conditions from seeking help or finding and keeping jobs, according to the WHO.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health at Work.”
Those looking for mental health resources can visit the Psychology Today website to filter and match with the appropriate clinician.
That site also will help determine what is covered by insurance.
