MOUNT VERNON — The body keeps the score.
It’s the title of the New York Times best-selling nonfiction book that details the direct correlation between trauma in the body and emotional health.
Stacy Gilley, Knox Public Health’s behavioral health director, discussed the relationship at its second emotional health forum on Tuesday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Hunter Hall.
“There’s truly a biological physical connection,” Gilley said.
“There’s a need (for emotional health services,)” Gilley said. “Not just in Knox County.”
Research has shown that mental health conditions like depression are associated with a higher risk of developing chronic physical illnesses, Gilley said, adding that chronic stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of heart disease and worsen other physical health problems.
Poor mental health can sometimes lead to a lack of motivation, resulting in decreased physical activity and unhealthy habits, Gilley said.
A recurring theme of poor emotional health Gilley has seen is a lack of quality sleep. “Sleep is crucial to our physical, emotional well-being,” Gilley said.
Taking a holistic approach to emotional health
Also at the emotional health forum, seven panelists from several of Knox County mental health agencies also spoke about the services they offer.
Knox Public Health Behavioral Health LSW Deb Wauthier said the agency is starting new programs to address different forms of grief, one called the Grief Recovery Program.
“Addresses if you have grief because you lost everything because of a fire,” Wauthier said. “The program will address service gaps in areas of grief that haven’t been touched on maybe before.”
Clinical Director Rachel Trego of Behavioral Health Partners of Central Ohio said the agency uses a trauma-informed approach with clients.
Trauma-informed care looks at the person holistically, Trego said, rather than just the symptom we might see that caused the person to seek help.
In 2022, experts estimated that 59.3 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had any mental illness, according to the National Institute of Health.
This number represented 23.1% of all U.S. adults, according to the NIH.
Looking toward the future, Wauthier said it’s important for everyone in the community to advocate for behavioral health care. “It’s just as important as physical health care,” Wauthier said.