Mental illness costs Americans $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.  Adults in the U.S. with mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions.  Frontline healthcare staff members can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health illnesses.  This early diagnosis can have a direct impact on the development and management of chronic diseases, leading to a better quality of life.  One of the most important things staff can do with helping their patients manage their chronic disease is recognizing that your patient might have a mental health illness and connecting them to supportive services.

This course is part one of a four-part series that aims to provide an overview of mental illnesses, while also exploring the role frontline healthcare staff play in managing and supporting these conditions.

Depression is projected to become the leading cause of disability and the second leading contributor to the global burden of disease by 2020.  Mental health and physical health are strongly connected.  Patients with mental illness may be less likely to manage their physical health.  Conversely, mental illness may cause patients to act in self-destructive ways, increasing the likelihood of developing a chronic disease.  In this course, healthcare providers will review the correlation between mental health and chronic disease management.  An overview of depression is discussed, as well as it’s risk factors and treatment options.  Additionally, participants will learn about a commonly used tool to screen for depression.  Because depression occurs in a spectrum, with the severest symptom being suicidal ideations, this course concludes with a review of risk management for depression related suicide.