Welcome to the second edition of the Inspire Behavioral Health Newsletter. We offer high quality and compassionate care to people living in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, virtually and in-person with offices in Vienna, Fairfax and Sterling. Experienced psychiatrists with their fellow psychotherapists strongly believe that we all have solutions within us; it is a matter of learning how to tap into these solutions. Providers at Inspire Behavioral Health help people heal by allowing them to focus on their strengths and harness their available resources while treating symptoms and encouraging more effective techniques for coping with life’s struggles and build resilience to help maintain mental health. Call us for more information and to schedule an appointment at 703-592-4600. Please visit our website:www.InspireBehavioralHealth.com. And, on behalf of Inspire Behavioral Health, happy Men’s Health Month, happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and happy Father’s Day. Please consider celebrating this special month by investing in your mental health today and calling us to schedule an appointment. Happy June!
Men’s Mental Health Month
“Stronger Together, Better Forever:
Building Better Health for Men & Boys, Lifelong.”
It is always more impactful, meaningful, and personal when we teach others how to thrive in their day-to-day lives. A sense of responsibility and action can fundamentally resonate for men and boys that often forget themselves in support of others in their lives. This year during Men’s Health Month, the Mission is to “teach men and boys how to fish (for health).” A man who is taught how, can actively practice a healthier and preventative lifestyle, lifelong. The theme for 2024 is, “Stronger Together, Better Forever: Building Better Health for Men & Boys, Lifelong.” Men’s health is not a zero-sum game. The Vision is to build empathy among all groups of people to support the longevity, health, and well-being of all members within society. Starting with building empathy, we can work together on improved health outcomes for men and boys within every community.
Men and Mental Health
It is important to remember that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call, chat or text 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Remember your insurance covers mental health and Medicare covers many mental health services to support you.
June is National Men’s Health Month, a time to remind men of the health issues we face and what we can do to take charge of our health. Men are significantly less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a health care provider. Only sixty percent of men go to the doctor for a yearly, routine check-up, and forty percent of men do not go until something is seriously wrong. Despite the statistics, twenty percent of men report they only go to see the doctor so their significant other or a loved one “will stop nagging them.”
Here are some other important facts about men’s health to know:
- The overall mortality rate is 41 percent higher for men than women, and it’s higher for men for 8 out of 10 leading causes of death—including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
- 31 percent of men suffer depression in their lifetime and 9 percent of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety. But only 1/4 talk to a mental health professional, and only 1/3 take medication. Pay attention to signs of depression and don’t be afraid to seek help.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States. A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother or son had it. Talk to your doctor about having your PSA and DRE levels checked.
- Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 30 million men of all ages across the United States. If you’re having problems, see a urologist and make sure it’s not an early warning sign for something more serious, like heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood sugar. If there is no organic reason found, then see a psychotherapist.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program, is home to a lifestyle change program because American Men on average have a higher incidence of Type 2 Diabetes than women, and nearly thirty-seven percent of men have prediabetes.
General upkeep with a car, like keeping the gas tank full and air in the tires is a must. Did you know that certain healthy living tips could make an impact on male urologic health? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Drink Water. Just as cars need oil, your body needs water. Drinking six or more cups of water daily may prevent painful kidney stones.
• Get Exercise. Cars that sit idle may fail over time; this is also true of our bodies. A healthy heart can lead to a healthy urologic system, so try for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five or more days a week.
• Reduce and learn to manage Stress. You would not let your car engine rev all day, and so you should not do that with your body. Try to de-stress. Even relaxing for just 10 minutes a day can lower blood pressure, which may help improve erectile dysfunction.
• Eat Healthy. You would not put dirty fuel into a car, so consider what you put in your body. Caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can irritate your bladder, and red meat and high-fat diets can increase the risk of kidney stones and prostate cancer. Try for “high-octane” foods like fruits, vegetables and fiber.
• Do not smoke and if you do, stop. If an engine smokes, it’s bad news, the same is true for our bodies too. There are many urologic conditions impacted by smoking including bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, infertility, kidney cancer, kidney stones, painful bladder syndrome and urine leakage.
What are the symptoms of mental disorders in men?
Men and women can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions, but they may experience different symptoms. Some common symptoms include:
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
- Increased worry or feeling stressed
- Misuse of alcohol, drugs, or both
- Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
- Engaging in high-risk activities
- Aches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
- Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
- Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Feeling lost and without direction
Mental disorders can be treated: A primary care provider is a good place to start if you’re looking for help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist, who can help you figure out next steps.
How to Find a Counselor
Once you decide to get professional health for a personal struggle, whether it is anxiety, depression, grief, a mood disorder, an addiction or relationship issue, finding the right type of provider and service can be daunting. We can help because Inspire Behavioral Health is home to many caring professionals, and we are confident you will find the provider who specializes in addressing your particular issues. Please visit our website to read about our providers and their expertise. If you are in a rural area, you may have difficulty finding a mental health professional nearby, so remember that all of our clinicians are available to you virtually.
Substance Use and Addiction
Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs, and illicit drug use is more likely to result in emergency department visits or overdose deaths for men than for women. “Illicit” refers to use of illegal drugs, including marijuana (according to federal law) and misuse of prescription drugs. For most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than do women.
Inspire Behavioral Health also offers a full range of services for people struggling with substance use and process additions with medications assisted therapy such as Suboxone as well as anti-craving drugs, and individual, couple, family and group therapy. Nearly eight million adults in the United States experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, in fact, of adults with a mental health diagnosis nearly twenty percent also have a substance issue and of adults diagnosed with a substance use disorder, nearly forty precent also have a mental health issue. Many of our providers offer treatment for both issues concurrently. Patterns of substance use among MSM (men who have sex with Men) vary depending on demographic factors, substance type, and MSM subgroup. Bisexual men have higher rates of substance use than other subgroups of MSM. Methamphetamine use is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and HIV transmission. Call us to talk about making healthy choices.
LGBTQIA+ PRIDE
Happy Pride Month from Inspire Behavioral Health! This June, we come together to honor the resilience, diversity, and joy of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, recognize the work still to be done, and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes this community so unique.
Pride Month is a time to express yourself boldly and colorfully. Whether you’re waving a rainbow flag, wearing your favorite Pride gear, or simply being your authentic self, remember that your presence and support make a difference. Let’s come together to celebrate love, diversity, and the progress that has been made.
The original Pride flag created by Gobert Baker (1978; revised 1979) is a symbol of LGBT pride and resilience, with each color representing a unique aspect of the community’s values and experiences.
- Red: Life. Red represents the vitality and life force of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Orange: Healing. Orange symbolizes healing power and efforts to overcome discrimination and adversity.
- Yellow: Sunlight. Yellow stands for the light and warmth that we bring into the world.
- Green: Nature. Green highlights the connection to the natural world and the importance of environmental sustainability.
- Blue: Harmony. Blue signifies peace and harmony within the community and with the world.
- Purple: Spirit. Purple represents the spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community, embodying strength, pride, and a commitment to equality
From all of us at Inspire Behavioral Health, we wish you a joyous and empowering Pride Month. We can’t wait to celebrate with you events throughout the region and throughout the month. This year consider talking with one of our therapists to help you to celebrate your true and authentic self.
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a holiday honoring one’s father, or relevant father figure, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. The single most common date among world countries is the third Sunday of June, which was founded in the state of Washington, United States by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. Happy Father’s Day to all men who are grandads, dads, step-dads, foster dads, mentors. We also send our heartfelt support to all those who grieve the loss of a dad.
Men’s Group
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a compassionate type of therapy behavioral therapy that is intended to help people move toward a more aware and purposeful life. The key skills addressed in DBT include Core Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Members of this group are taught the skills necessary to help deal with life stressors. This is done in a framework that helps people understand that they are doing the best they can while recognizing that there are newer strategies that may be more effective. This group is a safe, confidential place for men who are sustaining their recovery from chemical or process addictions, coping with chronic illness, managing stress, anxiety and/or depression, accommodating change in their lives, coping with loss and transition, and seeking support and growth. Please call us for more information about this important group.