Vicksburg citizens struggling with alcoholism, addiction and/or mental illness, here are resources and tips for getting help

Vicksburg citizens who are struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction and/or mental illness can find resources for seeking help here.

If you are suffering with addiction, depression, anxiety or something similar, you are not alone. Many Mississippians, and furthermore, Americans, suffer in silence as they face their mental illness alone in the dark. Shame can cause a person to avoid reaching out. Exhaustion can keep a person from committing to therapy. Stress can make it difficult to seek out or know the right resources for getting help.

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in Mississippi. So far this year, 422 people have taken their own lives. Alcohol has taken 66 lives, not including those lost to road traffic accidents. You can learn more about these statistics here. Hinds county, next to Warren County has had over 31 opioid deaths in the last 30 days. There have already been over 100 administrations of naloxone (used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.) That’s very close to home for Vicksburg.

For Vicksburg alone, there is a 30.7% poverty rate. Poverty is directly linked to addiction, depression and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Mental health needs to be discussed. Addiction needs to be talked about. You are not broken or abnormal if you’re experiencing these issues and there are many factors that lead one to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. Even if addiction is not a factor in your mental health battle, you are part of a group of many people who suffer every single day. It’s okay not to be okay and it’s even more okay to seek treatment and be open about.

People need to know that there are resources and options for healing. The rates of drug related, alcohol related and mental illness related deaths have steadily been climbing over the years. Often times, when one is struggling, they isolate themselves for fear of exposure and it only compounds the problem. Vicksburg, along with the rest of the world, doesn’t need to continue to lose lives and loved ones to these harrowing diseases. Below, you can find resources for seeking therapy and support, as well as some tips on how to cope and tools to motivate you to take steps to get the help you need.

A hug can always help too. (Photo by Creative Commons)

Treatment Facilities, Support Groups and Therapy Options:

• Follow this link to find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Vicksburg Mississippi.
  There are meetings everyday and several groups, including a “ladies only” group for women.
• Follow this link to find Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Vicksburg. There is a link to a 24/7 hotline on the website.
• SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is a great resource for finding substance treatment info. This is their number: (1-800)-662-4357
• Warren-Yazoo Behavioral Health offers mental health treatment and chemical dependency treatment among other things. You can reach them by calling (601)-634-0181 or visiting their website. This is a great option for low income households.
• For those with a severe need for detox, inpatient care is available at Merit Health River Region and is a 5-7 day program. There is also a 24/7 hotline you can call (601)-883-3838
• Pathway Healthcare offers addiction recovery and mental health help.
• Grace Christian Counseling Center is a good place to visit if you seek counseling or just need someone to talk to and are on low income. (601)-636-5703
• Cognitive Development Center offers mental health help. Here is their number (601) 883-1771
• Precise Mind is another mental health clinic you can call (601) 420-5810
• You can find help in overcoming a slew of mental health crisis issues at Counseling and Crisis Intervention Services.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a non profit organization that aims to help individuals and families.
• The River City Rescue Mission offers help for men in Vicksburg to get on their feet and get help in recovery from addiction. This is ideal for low or no income.
• If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, you can reach out to the Mississippi Alliance to End Suicide or give them a call: (601) 301-6677
• Mississippi Department of Mental Health offers a variety of services for for mental health, IDD, alcohol and drug addictions and Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.  (601) 359-1288
• You can call Makalia Suicide Prevention with this number: (601) 439-1203
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached here and is available 24/7 for those in need of immediate help 1-800-273-8255

If you or anyone you know is struggling, please reach out and know that there is hope. You, your life and your wellness matters. You are unique and valuable. It isn’t always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the darkest moments, but there can be a rainbow at the end of the storm. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk about your battle. Mental illness and addiction does not take away your value as a person and you shouldn’t have to go through it alone.

Your life and well being matters (Photo by Creative Commons)

Some tips to help motivate yourself to take steps to begin healing:

• The Three Step Plan:
  When you’re overwhelmed, it helps to simplify the day. Just like Dora the Explorer, try only assigning yourself 3 tasks to focus on. An example of this looks like, “First I will drink water, because hydrating my body is important for brain function. Then I will take a shower because freshening up can make me feel better. Last I will call the Warren County Behavioral Health center and ask about therapy options.” Those three tasks may seem easy if you don’t have a mental health battle to face, but for someone struggling, they can seem daunting and exhausting. Assigning just three things to focus on keeps one from worrying too far ahead or overloading themselves with all that needs to be accomplished. Once the steps are completed, you can focus on the next three steps to accomplish.
• Your Secrets Keep You Sick, Open up:
  Open up to a trusted friend or relative about your struggle. Being human includes having problems in life. Everyone has them, and noone is immune to struggle. Find someone you trust and talk. Express yourself and admit that you may need more support or understanding as you undertake the recovery process. Remember that recovery is about progress, not perfection. Don’t be hard on yourself if you try and fail. Try again and never be ashamed of getting help or opening up. You might just be surprised to discover that someone you know is facing the same issues too. Don’t be afraid to invite a friend along to do the mundane tasks. Even the worst moments in life can be improved with the right company. A good support system can keep you accountable and encourage you to continue on a good path.
• People, Places and Things:
  To change bad habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms, be mindful of the people you spend time with, the places you go and the things you do. All of these factors can trigger an addict to want to use or can enhance poor mental health. You need to change up your circle and the places you frequent. Step back, analyze where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing when you use a substance or become anxious. Your body will give you clues that alert you when a certain person, place or thing becomes a trigger.
• Get Outside, Change Your Environment:
  Sometimes the last thing anyone wants to do when suffering from depression or addiction is leave the comfort of their home. These isolating diseases can lead to a fear of leaving the home. Don’t get stuck indoors, you have to change your environment because it vastly affects your mental state. Commit to a five minute walk around the block and then you can return to your home. You may just decide to walk an extra block once you get started. You might meet someone interesting along the way. Staying idle feeds depression and increases anxiety.
• Feed Yourself Something Healthy:
  Bananas and cashews have been reported to have mood boosting properties. Mangoes are known natural pain killers. Caffeine is known to increase anxiety. Your diet is important. You can learn more about how to assist your body in healing by following this link for a diet that helps alleviate depression. A challenge that presents itself shows its face for those struggling from an Eating Disorder. Those who struggle from an Eating Disorder (Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder and Restrictive Eating,) have a very difficult time being open about it. If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, you can visit this website for NEDA , or call or text their hotline: (1-800)931-2237.

You deserve to be happy, healthy, and whole. You matter. You are not alone. Please utilize the tools available for health and well being and most importantly, never give up.