Bipartisan federal legislation introduced this week would provide more personalized mental health services to survivors of military sexual assault and trauma.
Under the proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs, survivors would have access to peer-support specialists, often someone who has been in a similar situation, to serve as a partner in helping them seek justice.
One in four women in the military reports being a victim or survivor of sexual trauma during their military service. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal - D-CT - one of the bill's co-sponsors, said a peer support specialist can be there in moments of crisis.
"Military sexual trauma is a scourge that needs to be stopped," said Blumenthal. "And one way to do it is through peers, partners, supporting the victims seeking justice. Our men and women who serve and sacrifice for our country deserve to do it without the threat of military sexual trauma."
And for every 100 men in the military, one also reports sexual assault or harassment.
The bill's other prime sponsors include Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - and Sen. John Boozman - R-AR. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Connecticut resident Denise Florio is a peer-support group leader with the Wounded Warrior Project who served as a U.S. Army medic. She said it's been rewarding to help veterans in their recovery process.
"Unfortunately, a lot of people don't want to deal with it," said Florio. "They push it to the back side, because they don't have the support that they need to carry through. And I'm grateful that hopefully, I'll be a part of the VA peer support and help my brothers and sisters through what they need to, and be there as a lending ear, as a support system."
The Wounded Warrior Project hosts peer-support group meetings in Middletown. Between 2016 and 2020, there were more than 160,000 veterans living in Connecticut, according to U.S. Census data.
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If the cold weather and snow have got you down and feeling like there's no end in sight, you are not alone.
Nationwide, up to 6% of the population suffers from seasonal affective disorder. People in colder climates are especially affected. Seasonal affective disorder is typically a temporary form of depression triggered by lack of sunlight in the fall and winter months.
Konadu Fokuo, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, said it is common to feel a little down and tired this time of year and important to know if it is something more serious.
"If you're experiencing seasonal affective disorder, you will notice it is a persistent low mood," Fokuo explained. "Even when you do things that you typically enjoy, they're not very enjoyable. You lose pleasure and interest in things."
Women in particular report increased irritability, she added. Fokuo suggested spending time outdoors to combat symptoms even on cold, cloudy days to increase sun exposure and exercise. Both have been proven to be effective in addressing seasonal affective disorder.
People with the subtype of depression can experience increased anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. They may notice changes in appetite and sleep and a loss in their ability to concentrate and handle stress.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said awareness is key to addressing symptoms.
"More Americans than ever are reporting poor mental health days, having concerns with anxiety and depression," Randall pointed out. "We're seeing increased suicides and drug overdose in our country, so it really is important to recognize when you're feeling blue and it's persistent."
Other helpful strategies include using light therapy at home, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, managing stress levels, and supplementing your diet with vitamin D3.
Randall added in some cases, medication and therapy can be effective, so seek help from a mental health professional if symptoms persist.
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Minnesota is in the depths of extremely cold and occasionally snowy weather this February.
These familiar winter conditions might have some feeling down, and experts caution it's not something to ignore.
The term winter blues gets thrown around this time of year. However, researchers say for some, it can be a serious concern, noting up to 6% of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal affective disorder.
It's a form of depression punctuated by the shorter days and longer nights.
Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychology Education at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Sabine Schmid, said this disorder can be quite debilitating.
"SAD in the winter often goes with sleeping more than usual," said Schmid, "feeling sluggish during the day and craving carbohydrates, which often leads to significant weight gain."
Trouble concentrating and social withdrawal are other symptoms. One way to combat this disorder is exposure to daylight.
When it's sunny, try to get outside for at least 30 minutes, or 60 minutes when skies are gray. You can also supplement that with at home therapy involving a light box, which mimics natural sunlight.
It's suggested you talk to a health provider about the best kinds to try.
Building a network of supportive friends and family, or checking in with a mental health professional or primary care physician are other tips.
UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall said reengaging with exercise can help, too.
"Research would tell us that by now that about three quarters of us have abandoned that New Year's resolution," said Randall, "so it's not too late to get back on track and think about it as a long-term goal, right? You're on a marathon, not a sprint."
UnitedHealthcare says to stay on track with fitness goals, focus on the process rather than the outcome.
For example, if you want to shed unwanted weight, aim to walk at least 6,000 steps each day and strength train twice a week.
Along the way, that consistent physical activity might aid efforts to ward off seasonal affective disorder.
Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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An Atlanta-based group is making sure more people have access to an unconventional but effective treatment for their moderate mental health challenges: art.
It is estimated 1.8 million adults in Georgia live with some form of mental illness. The group Art Pharmacy partners with health care providers and community organizations to integrate creative activities into treatment plans.
Chris Appleton, founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, said the approach, known as "social prescribing," connects people to arts and cultural experiences as a way to combat the mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic in the U.S.
"People get prescriptions to go to dance classes," Appleton outlined. "People get prescriptions to go on a guided tour at a museum. People get prescriptions to go to a ceramics workshop, or maybe a visit to your local botanical gardens."
In Georgia, Art Pharmacy partners with school-based behavioral health clinics to support young people struggling with anxiety and depression. It is also working with Medicaid health plans to assist at-risk youth with serious emotional disturbances, and helping older adults at risk of social isolation.
Appleton stressed Art Pharmacy is not meant to replace psychotherapy, especially for those who need psychiatric care, but it is another option for those with mild to moderate concerns. He added through care navigators, people are connected to creative activities that keep them engaged in treatment, offering a different path to improving their mental well-being while reducing stigma.
"There's an acknowledgment that new forms of care are required to make progress on these struggles," Appleton asserted. "I think a second piece is that while stigma around mental health has improved in the U.S. over the past several years -- especially among younger generations -- many people still struggle to raise their hand and say, 'I need help.'"
He added Art Pharmacy keeps track of progress using mental health and well-being assessments. While there are challenges in making social prescribing a standard part of health care, he believes it is only a matter of time before the approach becomes a go-to option alongside traditional treatments.
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