Mental Health

Mental Health – Moving Forward

If you have mental health symptoms or a verified mental health condition, you are not alone.  NIH's own National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that mental illnesses are common in the United States.  Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020).  Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild or moderate to severe.

Public health education efforts, along with exciting science and research, has been successful in improving our understanding of mental health conditions.  Unfortunately, the stigma associated with getting help for a mental health challenge, continues to be experienced by many people.  People receiving mental health services often report a lack of understanding or negative judgment from loved ones, as barriers to getting help.  Interestingly, those involved in mental health care also often report regret about not getting help sooner.  This is particularly true when mental health symptoms are creating problems in close relationships and/or work performance.

If you're not sure if your symptoms are a problem, there are several important questions to ask yourself.  Are your symptoms interfering with your health, your daily activities, your close relationships and/or your work? If you need help sorting out these issues, for yourself or a loved one, please call the NIH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 301 496-3164.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room.  You may also call or text the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

NIMH has excellent information on mental health conditions, treatment options and how to get help for yourself or a loved one.  Check out the website at; https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics.

Our EAP Consultants are here to assist you in managing challenging circumstances and emotions. Like physical injuries or illnesses, mental health concerns are legitimate health issues that may require professional consultation and care to facilitate healing.  Staffed by licensed behavioral health professionals, EAP is the only NIH resource officially designated to provide comprehensive assessment, supportive counseling and referral services to the NIH workforce. We provide consultation on issues such as: