Mental health refers to our social, emotional, and psychological well-being, depending on internal and external factors.

When we experience difficult times, whether work, personal, emotional, family, or financial, the demands can be very high, and sometimes, they can exceed our ability to handle them, harming our mental health.

According to the CDC, different factors can damage our mental health, such as:

• Difficult life experiences.
• Living with, or close to, life conditions such as a disability or chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes.
• Biological or hereditary factors or chemical imbalances in the brain.
• Use of alcohol or drugs.
• Feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Why is it important to take care of our mental health?

Mental health directly impacts our way of thinking, feeling, and acting. It determines how we respond to stress, relate to other people, and make decisions, which is why taking care of it is as important as taking care of our physical body.

Did you know that mental health conditions such as depression can increase the risk of physical diseases such as diabetes?

Statistics of mental health in the United States

According to the CDC, one in five adults lives with a mental health condition, and one in five young people has or has had a mental health condition in their lifetime. Likewise, one in 25 adults has a severe mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression.

TeletonUSA Foundation and mental health

At TeletonUSA Foundation, one of the four pillars of our model of care is the psychological well-being of our patients and their families. Our counseling services are specifically designed to support families in learning effective coping strategies and promoting overall well-being while navigating the complexities of a life with a disability.

Leticia Cavazos, Family Counselor at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), shares that her role as a counselor is to “travel with our families throughout their rehabilitation process, offer them support, strengthen and empower them.”

Counseling involves trust, acceptance, and communication between the patient and the counselor. Various issues can be addressed through individual counseling, such as grief, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, decision-making skills, and adjusting to environmental changes. Counseling allows us to see life events differently, gain coping skills, and increase awareness. TeletonUSA Foundation educates and empowers family members In collaboration with other departments,  through psychoeducational sessions.

Source

• https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

Scoliosis can result in significant curvature of the spine, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation. Pelvic obliquity refers to the hip being higher on one side versus the other, whereas pelvic rotation is when the pelvis sits more forward on one side. A person who experiences one or more of these conditions, but does not rely on the assistance of positional supports, can progress over time. For this reason, postural alignment plays a critical role. 

Postural alignment is an essential aspect of everyone’s day-to-day life. Even more for those who spend most of their day in a wheelchair since appropriate positioning can: 

• Reduce pain 
• Reduce fatigue 
• Limit progression of orthopedic conditions 
• Improve proficiency in wheelchair propulsion 
• Decrease the risk of skin breakdown 
• Improve breathing, swallowing, and feeding 
• Promote social inclusion and access to their environment 

When ordering a wheelchair, you must collaborate with a therapist, physician, and assistive technology professional (ATP) to determine the most appropriate option. Customized wheelchairs allow for optimal positioning and promote functional independence with mobility.