BEYOND THE SURFACE:
WHY “WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS”
INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH AND SPECIALISTS
Welcome to our weekly health corner!
As your newly appointed Health and Wellness Chair, I am honored to be part of our community’s journey toward better health and well-being.
When we talk about health, it can be easy to think about each concern separately a headache, high blood pressure, stress, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping.
But our health is connected.
Our mental health, physical health, emotional well-being, and access to healthcare can all affect how we feel and function each day.
That is why this week’s topic is:
WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS.
WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC
I chose this topic because I believe taking care of ourselves means looking at the whole person, not just one symptom or one part of the body.
Sometimes we may know that we need help but are not sure who to call, where to begin, or how we will afford care.
As your Health and Wellness Chair, I want to help make health information easier to understand and easier to access.
My goal is not to diagnose anyone or replace professional medical advice. My goal is to help our community recognize available resources and know where to turn for professional care.
I hope each week’s health topic will give our community information that is simple, practical, and useful.
MENTAL HEALTH: WHO CAN HELP?
When you are looking for mental health support, it can help to understand the different professionals who may be part of your care.
PSYCHOLOGISTS:
Psychologists provide services such as psychotherapy and behavioral support. They can help people work through stress, life changes, emotional difficulties, and other mental health concerns.
In most states, psychologists do not prescribe medication.
PSYCHIATRISTS:
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They can evaluate mental health conditions and prescribe and manage medications when appropriate.
They may also provide psychotherapy or coordinate therapy with another professional.
The important thing to remember is that you do not have to figure out the right professional by yourself. A primary care provider or mental health professional can help determine what type of care may be appropriate.
BUILDING YOUR WHOLE-BODY CARE TEAM
Different medical specialists focus on different areas of health
NEUROLOGIST:
A neurologist cares for conditions involving the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.
CARDIOLOGIST:
A cardiologist specializes in the heart and cardiovascular system.
ENDOCRINOLOGIST:
An endocrinologist diagnoses and treats conditions involving hormones and glands, including thyroid disorders and diabetes.
UROLOGIST:
A urologist cares for conditions involving the urinary system and certain reproductive health concerns.
PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
Your primary care provider can be an important starting point. They can evaluate your concerns and determine whether you may benefit from seeing a specialist.
FINDING AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
Cost can be an important concern when people are trying to access healthcare.
MEDI-CAL
Medi-Cal provides health coverage to eligible Californians.
COVERED CALIFORNIA
Covered California is California’s health insurance marketplace, where individuals and families can explore health insurance plans and possible financial assistance.
Costs, benefits, and eligibility vary depending on individual circumstances and the plan.
If you are unsure where to begin, an enrollment or healthcare assistance representative can help you understand your options.
LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES:
If you or someone you know needs help, consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare professional or one of the resources below.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH — 24/7 HELP LINE
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Help Line provides mental health and substance-use service information, support, crisis assessment, and referrals.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support.
INGLEWOOD COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
The center provides community health resources and assistance with
Medi-Cal enrollment and renewals.
Call ahead to confirm current services and hours.
SOUTH BAY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT ASSISTANCE LINE
Option 1
This line provides information, assistance, and referrals for South Bay residents.
COVERED CALIFORNIA
For information about health insurance plans and possible financial assistance.
MEDI-CAL / LOS ANGELES COUNTY DPSS
For information and assistance with Medi-Cal and other county services.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Taking care of ourselves is not only about what we do when we become sick.
It is also about learning our options, asking questions, getting appropriate preventive care, and reaching out when we need support.
As your Health and Wellness Chair, I hope these weekly topics will give our community information that is simple, practical, and useful.
My hope is that each person who reads this will come away with at least one piece of information that can help them or someone they care about.
Let’s continue taking care of the whole person:
MIND.
BODY.
AND OVERALL WELL-BEING.
Thank you for allowing me to serve our community.
Delicia Mosley
