WCNC Charlotte, this is Flashpo.
Thanks for joining us here on Flashpoint.
I'm Ben Thompson.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month,
and folks all across the Carolinas are
bringing attention to this nationwide crisis.
It is a deep and personal topic for a
lot of folks, especially for our kids.
In fact, suicide, the second leading cause of
death for kids between the ages of 10 and 18,
coming up in a few minutes.
We're going to speak with a Charlotte
woman pushing to stop suicides.
And she's doing it.
In a really unique way.
But first, joining us now is Jaron Doby.
He's a psychotherapist for Novant Health.
Jaron, thanks for coming on.
We appreciate it.
Thank you so much for having me.
So it is National Mental
Health Awareness Month.
You know, I don't believe
this was was a thing several,
you know, decades ago.
So do you, do you think that wee
making meaningful progress in talking
about these things like mental health or?
Are we still just paying lip see
to it and not really getting don
to the to the root of the probl?
That is by all accounts
at a national problem.
I'm a fond believer of that.
No press is bad press,
you know what I mean?
At the end of the day.
So ultimately, being able to put
more eyeballs on mental health,
having more conversations,
seeing more commercials on
just seeing more attention,
being paid to it can never be a bad thing.
Yeah, we're entering a period of time that
that suicides are actually the highest.
People often associate depressin
with the winter months,
but but it's also an issue in
the spring and and summer.
Why is now a time that it
deserves so much attention?
Mental health is something that
always deserves our attention because
it is something that folks deal
with every single solitary day.
I mean, statistically,
one in four adults deal with the
mental health related illness
or disorder in a given year.
That's very much so significant.
And more folks are actually comg
out and being able to discuss te
issues that it is that they've n
dealing with when mental health,
when beforehand.
Of course,
like the stigmas and stereotypes
and things of that nature,
resources may have prevented them from
actually being able to express any of this.
So it's always been important,
and it remains to be important t
everyone definitely make sure that they
pay attention to their mental health.
That brings me to the
question of do you feel like.
Mental health issues are worse ,
or are we just more
comfortable talking about it?
Yeah, I would say that that's a slippery
slope to say that things are wo.
I feel like that more people are coming out
and being able to express those things.
So don't be shocked if, like,
certain statistics actually begin to grow.
Not for the fact that it's happg
to more people necessarily,
but it may just be that more
people are actually taking an
opportunity to report these thi.
So we have to make sure that wee
paying attention to that because it's.
Always good for folks to
actually come to the forefront,
actually tell someone that it wt
it is that they are dealing wit.
So when we see those numbers rise or if we
see more people coming out to talk about it,
that means that we have more
people that are actually,
like I said,
shedding the stigma or taking an
opportunity to be more comfortable and
being able to express themselves as it
does pertain to their mental he.
In
your experience, in your practi,
how have things changed
post Pandemic versus say?
The year 2019 versus the
year 2023, what's different
I would say, between the last couple of
years and I would say within the COVID years,
there's just been a huge boom
in the world of mental health.
What do I mean by that?
There are more folks that are
actually coming out to seek sers
on following up with their doct,
asking for recommendations,
seeking referrals, actually takg
an opportunity to ask for help.
You know, so this is one of those things
that we can't turn our nose up or down
to that folks are actually seeking help.
COVID was definitely one of thoe
things that I say was just the rocket
that really sent mental health
into the stratosphere and really
making sure that more folks are
aware of services that are arou.
But being more comfortable to te
advantage of services is somethg
that we've seen a significant rise in.
So this is never a problem
pandemic also.
Changed sort of how we interact
with our doctors. Telehealth.
It was around before the pandem,
but it certainly became much
bigger during the pandemic.
What what are the the pitfalls
and obstacles that come with
something like telehealth And II
know it could be a positive but
but are there limitations for
what you feel like you can do?
Right. I'm a fine believer of ad
especially my clinical opinion t
there's no such thing as one-size-fits-all.
There may be some folks that are very
much so comfortable in being able to meet.
With the provider,
virtually this is something than
create convenience for folks, r?
They're also in the comfort of their own
homes or in a place where it is that they
are most comfortable to be able to speak.
But also at the end of the day,
you know, this may be an
inconvenience for folks as well.
Everyone is not dealing with the same
kind of technology that is up to date
more so than anything in order e
able to take advantage of an an actual
virtual visit with the provider.
So it it's important to make sure that we
are acknowledging that as well and making.
Sure.
Their services are provided for
folks in person if that's what t
is that they actually do desire.
So I most certainly encourage fs
to make sure that they pay atten
to what it is that they are most
comfortable with and being able
to seek a provider that will be
able to accommodate them.
In your practice, just anecdotally speaking,
what do you see is the biggest pressing
issue that most patients are dealing with,
is it is it anxiety? Is it depression?
Are there any common through lis
that you see throughout your practice?
As far as any trends or common
diagnosis and things of that na,
I wouldn't be able to say
that that's actually true.
I would say that it,
it's pretty much a mixed bag.
You know, every patient that it is that I
see can be dealing with something different,
you know, at the end of the day.
Why? Because we as individuals
are very much so very different.
So it can be from the lines of depression,
anxiety, any kind of trauma that
is that they've experienced youg
children and adults and dealing with a
DHD and things of that nature and of.
Of course, more of the diagnosis that
incorporate psychosis of some k,
so we're ready for anything that very
much so comes our way here in N.
But it's definitely been folks coming in
dealing with different issues for sure.
And it's a good reminder also
for folks who are watching this,
listening to this what what are
the resources out there availabe
for for people who do need help?
I always like to bring attentioo
the 988 contact number for emery
mental health needs or suicide .
I like to tell folks think
911 for physical emergencies,
think 988 for mental health emergencies.
It it was a one 800 number
if I'm not mistaken.
That number is actually still operational,
but it's a lot easier to be
able to dial the 988 number.
You can talk with the train cris
professional that is located
in your catchment area that
is very much so aware of the.
Resources that are available
to you to make sure that they
provide good references but good
help to you in the moment.
It remains to be important that
folks definitely make sure that
they become aware of that numbe.
Put it in your phones,
stick it to your refrigerator.
Take an opportunity to make sure
that you're very much so aware
because you'll never know when a
mental health crisis will occur.
And being aware of such resource
that you can literally get your
hands on to speak with somebody
24/7 is very much so important.
Yeah. And final question here
on this being the National
Mental Health Awareness Month.
What is your tip to folks who
who might not have their mental
health at the top of their mind,
but also want to keep Selfcare n
mind and do want to be proactive about
taking care of their mental hea?
I would say definitely make sure
to take an honest inventory,
you know of how it is that you
were feeling on a daytoday,
what thoughts are coming to mind
what behaviors are kind of manifesting
as a result of those thoughts ad
feelings combined, of course.
It is very much so important tht
folks begin to practice mindfuls
and really making sure that they
are aware of how their thoughts
impact their feelings and how tr
feelings impact their behaviors.
This can be signs that there is
something on the horizon as it
relates to issues to be addressd
with your mental health.
So if things are just a little t
different and you're noticing t,
or it's a little bit harder for
you to be able to cope with what
it is that you are dealing with
naturally in your life,
it's important to make sure thau
do seek the opinion of a professional.
In order to make sure there isnt
anything serious going on or to
make sure that you begin to get
treatment so that things don't
worsen in any particular way,
taking that honest inventory
a good thing to keep in mind.
All right. Jerry Dobie,
thanks for coming on.
We appreciate it.
Thank you so much for having me.
Hope you have a great day.
You too. More flashpoint after .