Julien's Journal May 2016 (Volume 41, Number 5) | Page 41

and the need to support individuals within
the community. Mental Health America
of Dubuque County has and will continue
to provide both service and leadership in
the development and expansion of mental
health care for our citizens and their families for now and into the future. ❖
50 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in
their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14

Some psychologists with special training
may also be able to write prescriptions.

grams. Check out the SAMHSA Treatment
Locator at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

Peer Support – Peers aren’t counselors,
although they can give valuable insight on
how to recover from mental illnesses because they have experience. Peers provide
hope, education, and advocacy.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine – Many Americans, nearly 40%, use
health care approaches developed outside
of mainstream Western, or conventional
medicine for specific conditions or overall
well-being.

Providers include: certified peer specialists,
peer supporters, support groups, online
support communities.
Community-based Mental Health Services
– These are team approaches that help
you and your family work on all aspects
of life and recovery. Common community services include evaluations of your
mental health and role in the community,
education to empower personal recovery,
individual and group therapy, case management, supported education, and employment. These services are provided through
small or large programs, and while some
work might be completed in an office, most
of the treatment is provided at your home.
Providers include: Local MHAs, community
health treatment organizations and pro-

Self-Care – Self-care can include online and
self-managed programs, which can improve
the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It
can also include things like exercise, which
can have a moderate effect on depression.
Access to mental health care has grown
significantly in Dubuque County since the
beginning of MHA. Counselors and therapists are available in our community to
provide intake and evaluation of the mental
health needs of an individual. The number
of counselors, therapists, psychologists,
and psychiatrists providing vital care and
services in care and treatment plans for an
individual has also grown over the past five
decades. This is due to the improved identification of serious mental health needs

STAY AT HOME CARE
Experienced, in home elderly care
with dignity and exceptional quality.
Experienced nurses who will
advocate and tailor your care based
on your individual preference and
health care needs.

Call Lisa Flanagan
at 563-590-2688

Confidently Setting The Standard In Funeral Service Care

Tom Siegert
Director

Gene Siegert
Director

Bob Casper
Director

Maggie Lange
Leon Jensen
Pre-Need Counselor
Director

Calli Siegert
Director

Kaitlyn Miller
Direc