Dancing Through Life
Ever wish your life was more carefree, less stressful? Perhaps a bit like these lyrics from a popular song from the Broadway musical Wicked
Dancing through life
Mindless and careless
Make sure you’re where less trouble is rife
Woes are fleeting
Blows are glancing
When you’re dancing
Through life
Sitting Out the Dance
For those struggling to cope with the stress and pressures of modern life, the idea of dancing through life, feels like a distant dream. Over 20% of American adults (more than 50 million) experience some sort of mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and 5% encounter a more serious mental health concern every year.
Three-quarters of Americans think mental health issues are identified and treated worse than physical health issues in the U.S., according to a new survey from West Health and Gallup. This belief is even stronger among U.S. adults aged 65 and older and those who report they have experienced a mental health problem in the past year.
Another measure in the survey asking Americans to evaluate how well the nation’s healthcare system deals with mental health conditions finds a similarly bleak assessment. Only 1% of U.S. adults grade its ability to address mental health issues as an A, 8% as a B, and 27% as a C. The remaining majority, 57%, grade it as a D (32%) or F (25%).claring Mother’s Day a national holiday in 1914.
Let’s Dance
While the concept of dancing through life may seem unattainable for those battling mental health issues, there is hope. Increased awareness and advocacy efforts are breaking down the barriers of stigma surrounding mental health conditions, encouraging more individuals to seek help and support.
Mental health care is more accessible than ever, with a variety of resources and treatments available to those in need. From therapy and counseling to medication and support groups, there are pathways to healing and recovery.
As a society, it is crucial that we prioritize mental health and wellness and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to dance through life with joy and resilience.
- Health Beat: current healthcare news, including the future of retiree health benefits, 17 quick healthcare notes to know, and hospital prices help drive inflation.
- Crescendo of Concern: cost of mental health inequities, employer cost of youth mental health crisis and the role of chatbots in mental health care.
- Tango with Trouble: troubles with ‘A Place for Mom’, end of life cancer treatments and sepsis treatment.
- Fascination Fandango: including my personal favorite, Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning!!.
Health Beat
KFF
Retiree Health Benefits: Going, Going, Nearly Gone?
Becker’s Hospital Reviewe
17 quick notes on healthcare
Wall Street Journal
Surging Hospital Prices Are Helping Keep Inflation High
Crescendo of Concern
Deloitte Center for Health Solutions
The projected costs and economic impact of mental health inequities in the United States
Cigna
Research: The youth mental health crisis drives unsustainable costs to employers
Wall Street Journal
Can Mental-Health Chatbots Help With Anxiety and Depression?
Tango With Trouble
Boston Globe
Senior-care referral site ‘A Place for Mom’ stays mum on neglect
HealthDay
Most Cancer Treatments Near End of Life Are Useless: Study
University of Michigan/
Commonly used antibiotic brings more complications, death in the sickest patients
Fascination Fandango
Smithsonian Magazine
How the Airstream Hit the Open Road
Smithsonian Magazine
How Breaking Went From a Street Dance to an Olympic Sport
NPR
Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning
Enjoy the weekend!
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]