Having the courage to talk about your suspected issues can go a long way to addressing your mental health. According to a recent study by Next Step Solutions, an organization specializing in behavioral health, 21 percent of adults are experiencing at least one mental illness, 55 percent of which have not received any treatment. While people are becoming more open about addressing their own mental health concerns, Door County Medical Center Behavioral Health Coordinator Barb Johnson-Giese says there is still a negative stigma surrounding mental health. She hopes people are more open to sharing what they are personally dealing with and that others are willing to listen.

Adding fuel to the fire is the lack of medical health services available to people. Nationwide, there is one mental health provider for every 350 people living in the United States.  In Door County, it is even worse with just one mental health provider for every 720 residents. Johnson-Giese says Door County Medical Center is beginning the process of expanding what it can offer in behavioral health services so it can serve even more people. You can hear the full discussion with Barb Johnson-Giese by clicking this link.