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Mental Health
and

Physical Health

are Related

by Courtney L. Whitt, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Health at Healthcare Network

uring mental health awareness month The connection between physical and mental health is a vital
in May, it’s important to not neglect one and often underestimated or poorly understood. You do not
Dor underestimate the power of mental need to wait to feel depressed or anxious, or have chronic pain, or
health and wellbeing. In fact, unmanaged anxiety, insomnia, to seek help. It is incredibly reassuring and validating to
for example, may impact sleep, activity level seek help from a mental health professional, where one could learn
and diet, all of which can diminish our immune that a particular set of symptoms or feelings are quite “normal”
system and our body’s ability to protect against under certain circumstances or that it is time to receive help, and
illness. more importantly, that help is available.
Sometimes, chronic headaches, shoulder pain, nausea, chest Healthcare Network’s integrated care model offers mental
tightness, or difficulties breathing have less to do with our physical and behavioral health screening and consultation as part of
health and more with our mental health. comprehensive primary care. When additional mental and
As a result, staying in touch with one’s emotions, thinking behavioral treatment is needed, our new Center for Psychology and
patterns and behavioral habits boosts resilience, can lower anxiety Wellness at Nichols Community Health Center offers behavioral
or depression, improve symptom management and lead to better health services for children, adolescents, adults and seniors in
outcomes. person or via telehealth and in English, Spanish and Haitian
Everyone experiences stress, but we must be mindful and self- Creole without a physician referral.
aware, recognizing when stress starts to cross over from the healthy, It’s important to know when to reach out for help. Seeking
adaptive kind to more unhealthy or maladaptive stress. Generally, behavioral health services does not mean something is wrong with
that happens when high levels of stress intensify, persist or exceed you or a problem lies within you, sometimes the problem lies in
our ability to effectively cope and function. life and the state of one’s current world. Behavioral health services
Ignoring physical and emotional sensations, particularly are for anyone who needs help finding some new perspectives or
after they’ve been around for a while, can negatively affect the strategies to cope and are important for overall wellness.
connection between one’s physical and mental health and lead to About the Author
conditions such as anxiety or depression, which in turn can affect Courtney L. Whitt, Ph.D. is Director of Behavioral Health at
physical health leading to obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure, Healthcare Network, which treats all patients, regardless of insurance
to name a few. or job status. For an appointment, call 239-658-3000 or
visit healthcareswfl.org.

239-658-3000 HealthcareSWFL.org SUPPORT: healthcareswfl.org/donate/

48 Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023