Ending Stigma and Fostering Support: Mental Health Matters

Mental health awareness has been a crucial part of public conversation since it was first formally recognized in the United States in 1949. Over the ensuing decades, our understanding of mental well-being has deepened enormously—but stigma and misinformation still prevent countless people from seeking the care they need. Now more than ever, it’s essential to shine a light on mental health, share accurate information, and build a culture of open, compassionate support for everyone’s journey toward wellness.

The Impact of Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions are common across all demographics, significantly impacting adults, teens, and children. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year (NIMH).

• Around 17% of youth aged 6-17 encounter a mental health disorder annually (CDC).

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-34 (CDC).

These numbers underline the urgent need to dismantle stigma and promote accessible mental health care.

Fighting Stigma with Understanding

Stigma, often driven by misinformation and fear, prevents many from seeking essential care. Mental health conditions, like physical health conditions, require professional treatment and compassionate support. It's critical to view mental illness through a lens of empathy and understanding rather than judgment.

Recognizing mental health issues as valid, manageable, and common can significantly reduce stigma, fostering environments where individuals feel safe to seek help without fear of discrimination.

Comprehensive Support in Our Community

For residents of the North Country, North Star Health Alliance offers a range of support through Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, the Wellness Center, and Carthage Behavioral Health Center. Together, we provide comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and adults alike.

Claxton-Hepburn’s Adult Mental Health Unit is a 28-bed inpatient facility dedicated to adults experiencing severe mental health crises. It provides around-the-clock emergency services, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, therapeutic programming, and comprehensive discharge planning.

For young people in need of extra support, the Elizabeth May Duvall Children and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit serves as the North Country’s only acute inpatient center in the region serving kids and teens ages 5–17. Here, a team of therapists, nurses, and specialists works together to create personalized care plans that draw on proven, evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT. And with a planned expansion on the horizon, even more families will be able to get timely, compassionate help without long waits.

Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center

Since opening in 2017, the Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center has grown significantly, serving over 700 community members. Staffed by licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and creative arts therapists, the center treats a range of psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and eating disorders.

Unique to the Wellness Center is its commitment to personalized, trauma-informed care. It offers individual and group therapies, as well as specialized services such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR, Art Therapy, and treatment for neurodivergent individuals.

Carthage Behavioral Health Center

Part of Carthage Area Hospital, the Carthage Behavioral Center provides individualized outpatient services to more than 1,000 community members annually. With a focus on personalized care, treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, medication therapy, and comprehensive treatment planning.

A Collective Effort Toward Healing

Healing from mental health challenges requires community support, family involvement, and professional guidance. At Claxton-Hepburn and Carthage Behavioral Health Center, caregivers and loved ones are brought into every step of the journey—working alongside our teams to ensure continued encouragement and resources long after someone leaves our care.

How You Can Help

Together we can contribute to breaking the stigma around mental health:

• Educate yourself and others about mental health conditions.

• Promote open dialogue to normalize mental health discussions.

• Support mental health initiatives and local care centers.

• Encourage those struggling to seek professional support.

Mental health care is not a solitary journey. By collectively supporting mental wellness, understanding the signs of mental health conditions, and encouraging professional care, we foster healthier, more resilient communities.

For immediate support or inquiries about available mental health services, contact Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, the Wellness Center, or Carthage Behavioral Health Center today. Mental health matters, and together, we can make a meaningful difference.