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January is Mental Wellness Month. By Our Student Pharmacist, Adam Storc.

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As we approach the end of January, I would like to acknowledge January as Mental Wellness Month and spend this post discussing resources for ensuring your mental wellness.

About one in every five people struggle with mental health issues every year and 2020 was especially stressful for many of us, so the beginning of the new year is a great time to reset and pursue help where needed.

As a pharmacy intern, you may expect me to give a medication-based solution to mental health troubles, but the answer is actually a bit more complicated than that. Medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety drugs, are not considered the first line treatment for mental health issues, at least not by themselves. These medications can be very effective as an add-on to therapy and counseling which are the first line recommendations for most mental health conditions.

Aside from the time-commitment and awkward conversations, counseling has far fewer side effects and the data shows it as being the most effective option and can be customised to suit your needs. In comparison, antidepressant medications can take a few weeks to start working (like the counseling), but carry the potential for plenty of side effects, including nausea and reduced interest/desire. Medications can also take weeks to discontinue. That’s not to say they do not have a place in therapy, because they do, but rather that one should at least attempt counseling before trying medication and, if medication is needed, to continue counseling with medication for the best results.

Below are the resources that the Ohio State Government recommends to Madison County residents, though ohiocares.ohio.gov can be used to find local resources for wherever you live (in Ohio).

There are also national hotlines available such as 1-800-662-4357.

madison mh 

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