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Show IB THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, January Seems To Touch Everyone 22, 1987 - It's That Season Again, Time For January Blahs by Connie S. Burrup Green Sheet Staff Writer BENNION. This is the season for the post holiday blues or the January blahs. Vague feelings of depression, heaviness and a lack of motivation are general symptoms of this season. Most people shake off the attitude after a few bad days or a week, but some individuals find that feelings of worthlessness and an inability to cope with everyday activities have become so severe, they may need to seek outside help to get themselves back on track. Studies indicate that only 50 percent of those in need of professional help get the services they need according to Tim Charles, assistant administrator of Wasatch Canyons Hospital. Charles predicted that at least 50,000 individuals living along the Wasatch Front today will need treatment at some time in their lives for mental health-relateproblems. Wasatch Canyons Hospital, 5770 So l ioo West, which opened its doors in September has initiated a new concept in mental health care. The hospital offers a variety of treatment programs geared to adult psychiatric needs, adolescent care and chemical dependency treatment. The hospital is built in a campuslike setting with nine separate buildings with 82,900 square feet of space. A staff of more than 100 ind cludes doctors, psychologists, social workers, teachers, marriage and family therapists and psychiatric technicians. According to Charles, the hospital's least known program and the one that is probably the most im nurses, NEW FACILITY . those on adult . . portant to the population in general is the cognitive behavior therapy program geared toward treating mood disorders, such as those associated with chronic, postholiday blues. Most of us exCharles said, perience depression at some time or another, but usually there is the accompanying sense that this will pass and most often it does. But for those whose feelings of helplessness seem to be on the increase, Charles urges them to make contact with the hospital. One of the unique things about Wasatch Canyons is the hospitals patient intake procedure. Before anyone is admitted for treatment, whether it be for long term, or outpatient, counseling or group therapy, the individual is screened personally by intake director Steve Craig. Our first priority is to find the appropriate level of care for that in- dividual, Charles Most insurance programs will cover a variety of the treatment pro- grams. Wasatch Canyons is one of several psychiatric hospitals to emerge recently in the Salt Lake area. Charles said that on the down side, the fact that there are so many to choose from is confusing to the consumer, but on the up side, there are finally enough services to go around. Charles referred to a shortage of services and facilities in the valley two years ago. He recalled the horrendous problem of having to turn s in need because of away waiting lists. Charles also urged that individuals be "smart buyers when looking at a facility and its programs. .Noting that it is hard to make wise decisions when one is teen-ager- depressed, Charles said people should turn to someone they trust to help them evaluate programs and facilities. The stigma of having a problem associated with mental health is still one of the main issues that prevents those in need from seeking help, Charles pointed out. It is still more acceptable to suffer from high blood pressure, ulcers and various stomach problems than to admit to being depressed or anxious, although the latter problems pro- 'Forty percent. ..will need to use the services of a mental health professional at some time in their lives.' - - population faced with a choice to include that type of coverage in their package when negotiating with employers will choose to do so. Forty percent of the population in this country will need to use the services of a mental health professional at some time in their lives. he noted. (The following are composite studies of individuals seen at Wasatch Canyons in the last lew months! bably all have some psychological basis. One of the most important decisions people in the work force should deal with, Charles said, is to examine the options of adding a mental health plan to their medical insurance benefits package. Because of the stigma, Charles said, only one percent of the Tim Charles Marie Mane, age 38 and the busy mother of four children, had always prided herself on being in control. She worked very hard at being a good wife and mother, had been very active in the community, involved in church work and busy volunteering at her children's school. Marie was Continued on page 11 explained. Although other hospitals have routine procedures for screening new patients, Charles emphasized the level of sophistication and professionalism exhibited by Craig. Craig has extensive background, education and experience in dealing with adult mood disorders and adolescent behaviors and drug treatment. he noted. The initial consultation with the intake director at Wasatch Canyons is free. An individual is then advised as to what treatment will be recommended, the duration of the treatment and the costs. Alternative methods of financing are available. Being a member of Intermountain Health Care, the hospital offers a certain amount of financial assistance to those that qualify. Richard Segal and Candace Lowry are among Canyons Hospital. treatment center staff of Wasatch Fibrositus Can Be One - Old Man Winter Brings On Problems For Many SALT LAKE. During the cold winter months, many people like to warm up by taking a hot shower or sleeping under an electric blanket, a good idea for people who suffer with arthritis since heat treatments such as these can help aching joints feel better, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Treatments using heat are effective ways to relax muscles and relieve joint pain and soreness. There are a variety of different heat treatments which can be used, including warm, moist towels wrapped around the affected joint, hot water bottles, electric heating pads and special paraffin baths. To apply cold treatment, try a bag of frozen peas from your freezer or run the joint under cold tap water. Heat and cold treatments, combined with medication, exercise, and joint protection are important aspects of a total treatment program for arthritis. Doing these things can help people feel less pain and maintain mobility. Also, with the winter flu season upon us, many people experience aches and pains which they may attribute to a passing case of the flu. But if this pain, stiffness and aching becomes constant, it may be that they have fibrositis. Fibrositis is an arthritis-relatecondition in which a person's muscles become tight and tense for a long period of time, resulting in aching, stiffness and tendernes around joints and muscles, the pain is often greatest in certain locations, including the back of the neck and shoulders, the sides of the breast bone, and the bony points of the elbows and hips. The inability to get a good night's sleep due to tense muscles is common in people with this condition, and can contribute further to the symptoms of fibrositis. Although there is no cure for fibrositis, a doctor can prescribe a treatment program that will help keep the symptoms under control. For additional information on fibrositis or other types of arthritis, those interested may contact the Utah Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, d S. (VINE STREET) S. 700 EAST 1844 E. FT. UNION 967-705- 0 1822 W. 12000 S. 254-210- 943-444- 6 5G2-190- 0 KEARNS 3950 W. 5400 S. RIYFRTON BLYD. MIDVALE 7800 SOUTH STATE 562-033- 0 WEST JORDAN 7080 S. 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