HEALTH AND WELLNESS
What advice do you have for people looking to help manage their mental health during the winter?
Tina Matthews Hayes, NP: During the winter months, have a safe space where you can feel vulnerable and honest about what you are going through - not everyone continues to feel "holly jolly" once the holiday season has come to a close. You should seek help if you need it. I would recommend you keep a journal with you and make note of how you're feeling before your appointment, and be open and transparent with your healthcare team, whether that's your psychiatrist, therapist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
Chet Robachinski, MD: There are many resources available for those who may be struggling. In particular, advocacy organizations such as National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) have information on their websites, including tools for mental health screening and finding a treatment center or therapist. But it's important to note that if you're in crisis, please call, text or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a mental health counselor.
Kami Harris, PA-C: With shorter and colder days, winter can be a difficult time to say the least. So, keep a pulse on how you're feeling and be honest with yourself. Give yourself the freedom and grace to take needed breaks and reach out to loved ones for help.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray? SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth to
treat:
* Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
* Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®. It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®? SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
* Sedation and dissociation. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation).* Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
* Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.