Economy has impact on mental health

Aurora Pavilion Behavior Health Services sees many people with chronic mental health issues - depression, anxiety, schizophrenia.

Recently, the facility - a division of Aiken Regional Health Centers - has seen an increase of people impacted by the economy, staff member Dana Rideout, a mental health therapist, said.

"Our numbers are through the roof," she told Aiken Sunrise Rotary Club members Thursday. "But that comes at the expense of somebody's peacefulness. Some come in because they're frightened beyond belief they will lose their jobs. Some are stuck in their jobs, because the opportunities elsewhere aren't there."

If couples are already struggling, said Rideout, they may for financial reasons find it no longer feasible to separate. This add to their stress, which can lead to drinking more or using pain medications like Oxycontin to numb their feelings.

"When a person loses a job," said Rideout, "financially he can't get the medications he does need or get to see a counselor. He waits and waits to seek help until there's a crisis."

Aurora Pavilion, a 47-bed facility, provides a number of in-patient and outpatient services for children and adults. Unlike the S.C. State Hospital, the average in-patient stay at Aurora is seven days.

Rideout works with patients one-on-one and in group sessions. Those new to the group format, she said, are often surprised to discover a variety of people in all walks of life. Rideout acknowledged she herself is sometimes surprised by the number of men who take part, given that American society still expects men to hold back from seeking help.

"I'm thrilled to be doing what I'm doing," said Rideout. "I get to work with some of the bravest, most courageous people I've ever met. My experience is how healthy this is. We stay with the present and work on current strengths."

Asked about the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous, Rideout said Aurora hosts two AA groups. Although it's not for everybody, it can be of substantial benefit, she said. When a person is in the midst of people who are healthy and in recovery, the brain will change for the better over a long period of time.

Rideout herself is funny and engaging, mentioning her own past as a Roller Derby enthusiast. She relies on laughter in her group sessions as a crucial aspect of mental health in any setting.

The Rotary meeting started off with a joke of the day and "happy bucks" - members paying $1 to charity of the privilege of describing positive and often amusing events in their daily lives.

"You also see yourselves as contributing to something as larger than yourselves," said Rideout. "That's healthy. When you don't feel connections, there potentially are some problems."

The Rotary meeting started really, really early, she said with a smile. But "once you get here, you're interacting with each other. You feel better."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.