Battling Depression & Substance Use Disorder This Holiday Season with MountainStar Healthcare – FOX 13 News Utah

Advancing SDG 3: Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders During High-Risk Periods

A report indicates a significant seasonal increase in mental health concerns and Substance Use Disorder (SUD), particularly during the holiday months of December and January. This trend presents a critical challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Specifically, this issue directly impacts Target 3.4, concerning the promotion of mental health and well-being, and Target 3.5, which focuses on strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

Statistical Overview: The Holiday Season’s Impact on Well-being

Key Findings and Alignment with SDG 3.4

Data highlights a critical period for public health that requires targeted intervention to meet SDG 3 objectives. The increased prevalence of mental health challenges and substance-related mortality during this time underscores the need for robust support systems.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies December and January as the months with the highest rates of drug-and-alcohol-related deaths.
• 64% of individuals with pre-existing mental illness report a worsening of their condition during the holidays.
• 38% of the general population experiences increased stress, a known contributor to poor mental health outcomes.
• 29% of people report drinking more alcohol, posing a significant risk to individuals in recovery and exacerbating challenges related to SDG Target 3.5.

Contributing Factors to Diminished Well-being

Identified Stressors and Their Implications for SDG 3

Several environmental and social factors contribute to the decline in mental well-being during the holiday season. Addressing these root causes is essential for creating supportive environments that foster good health, a cornerstone of SDG 3.

• Isolation: Feelings of loneliness or exclusion from family gatherings.
• Seasonal Depression: The impact of decreased daylight and colder weather, affecting 6% of Americans annually.
• Lack of Activity: Reduced engagement in exercise, outdoor activities, and hobbies.
• Relationship Strains: Stress from divorce, separation, or family conflicts.
• Social and Financial Obligations: Pressure related to parties, gift-giving, and other holiday commitments.

A Strategic Healthcare Response: MountainStar Healthcare’s Contribution to SDG 3.5

In response to these public health challenges, MountainStar Healthcare provides comprehensive services aimed at strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, directly contributing to the achievement of SDG Target 3.5. The Alcohol & Chemical Treatment (ACT) Center at Ogden Regional Medical Center serves as a key institutional pillar in this effort.

Overview of the Alcohol & Chemical Treatment (ACT) Program

The ACT program, operational since 1973, offers an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach to addiction recovery. It is the only hospital-affiliated inpatient residential treatment program in Utah, ensuring a high standard of medical care. This model provides 24/7 access to medical professionals for safe, medically supervised detoxification, followed by residential treatment to foster long-term recovery. This comprehensive care structure is vital for promoting well-being as outlined in SDG 3.

Comprehensive Service Delivery Model

Ogden Regional Medical Center offers a full continuum of care, ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment at every stage of their recovery. This integrated approach is critical for effective, long-term health outcomes.

1. Medical Detoxification: Safe, medically supervised withdrawal from substances.
2. Residential Treatment: Inpatient care for medically stable patients post-detox.
3. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Structured day programs for intensive therapy.
4. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Flexible treatment for those transitioning back to daily life.

Expanding Access to Care Across Communities (SDG 10 & 11)

By extending services across the Wasatch Front, MountainStar Healthcare works to reduce health inequalities (SDG 10) and build safer, more resilient communities (SDG 11). Ensuring broad access to essential mental health and SUD services is fundamental to sustainable development.

• Ogden Regional Medical Center: Offers the full continuum of SUD services.
• Cache Valley Hospital: Opened four ACT beds in August 2023 for medical detox.
• Mountain View Hospital: Provides a detox program and inpatient psychiatric care.
• Lakeview Hospital & St. Mark’s Hospital: Offer inpatient psychiatric care and other services.

Framework for Prevention and Support: Empowering Individuals and Communities

Recommended Strategies for Individuals

To proactively manage mental health and SUD during high-risk periods, individuals are encouraged to adopt strategies that promote resilience and well-being, aligning with the preventative goals of SDG 3.

• Know and limit your triggers: Avoid events or situations that increase the likelihood of substance use.
• Eliminate stressors: Simplify obligations and avoid taking on too much.
• Practice mindfulness: Engage in activities that ground you and calm cravings.
• Set boundaries: Have a pre-planned response for declining invitations to high-risk events.
• Seek out healthy support: Identify sober friends and support groups to turn to.
• Create new traditions: Participate in healthy, sober activities that bring joy.

Guidance for Community and Family Support Systems

Community and family support are crucial for long-term recovery. Recognizing SUD as a disease, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association, fosters a non-judgmental and supportive environment. Patience, understanding, and open dialogue are key components in building the strong social support networks necessary to achieve the health targets of SDG 3.

Directory of Resources for Achieving Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

MountainStar Healthcare Facilities

The following facilities provide critical access to care, supporting the universal health coverage component of SDG 3.

• Alcohol & Chemical Treatment (ACT) Program at Ogden Regional Medical Center
  5475 South 375 East, Ogden, UT 84405
  Phone: (801) 479-2250
• Cache Valley Hospital ACT Program (Detox)
  2380 N 400 E, North Logan, UT 84341
• Lakeview Hospital ACT Program
  630 Medical Dr, Bountiful, UT 84010
• St. Mark’s Hospital Program
  1200 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84124
• Mountain View Hospital ACT Program
  1000 E 100 N, Payson, UT 84651

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The entire article is centered on health, specifically addressing mental health challenges and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). It discusses the prevalence of these conditions, particularly during the holiday season, and highlights the importance of accessible and effective treatment. The text focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being by detailing the services offered by various healthcare facilities to combat depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health issues.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The article directly relates to this target by focusing on the promotion of mental health and the treatment of mental illness. It highlights that “64% of people with preexisting mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse” and discusses conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), depression, and anxiety. The healthcare programs described, such as the Alcohol & Chemical Treatment (ACT) program, are designed to treat co-occurring mental health disorders, thereby promoting well-being. The mention that “December and January are the most dangerous months for drug-and-alcohol-related deaths” also connects the issue to reducing premature mortality.

2. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   • This target is a core theme of the article. The text explicitly discusses Substance Use Disorder (SUD), the increased consumption of alcohol during the holidays (“29% of people drink more”), and the dangers of addiction. The primary focus is on the treatment of substance abuse through detailed descriptions of the ACT programs at Ogden Regional Medical Center and other hospitals, which offer “medical detox for both alcohol and opioid addictions” and a “full continuum of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services.”

3. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…

   • The article demonstrates efforts to increase access to quality essential healthcare services for mental health and substance abuse. It lists multiple hospitals along the Wasatch Front (Ogden, Logan, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Payson) that provide these specialized services. The description of the Ogden Regional program as offering a “full continuum of…services…at one location” and the expansion of services, such as the “four ACT beds opened in August 2023” at Cache Valley Hospital, points directly to improving health service coverage and accessibility for the community. The emphasis on care quality, with “medical professionals…available 24/7” and “board certified addictionologists,” also aligns with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 3.4 (Promote Mental Health and Well-being)

   • Mortality Rate: The article mentions that “December and January are the most dangerous months for drug-and-alcohol-related deaths,” which directly points to mortality rates attributed to substance abuse as a measurable indicator.
   • Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions: The article provides several statistics that serve as indicators of prevalence, such as “Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as “SAD” and “Seasonal Depression”) affects 6% of Americans annually” and “64% of people with preexisting mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse.”

2. Indicators for Target 3.5 (Strengthen Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse)

   • Prevalence of Harmful Use of Alcohol: The statistic that “29% of people drink more during the holidays” can be used as an indicator of the prevalence of harmful alcohol use within a specific period.
   • Coverage of Treatment Services: The article implies this indicator by describing the availability and expansion of treatment programs. The existence of a “full continuum of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services” and the opening of “four ACT beds…in August 2023” at Cache Valley Hospital are concrete measures of treatment capacity and service coverage.

3. Indicators for Target 3.8 (Achieve Universal Health Coverage)

   • Health Service Capacity and Access: The article indicates service capacity by listing multiple hospitals offering specialized care (detox, inpatient psychiatric care, residential treatment). The expansion of programs to new locations like Cache Valley Hospital and Mountain View Hospital serves as an indicator of improved access to essential health services for different communities.
   • Health Workforce Density and Distribution: The mention of a comprehensive “interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, counselors and recreational therapists,” including “board certified addictionologists,” implies an indicator related to the availability of specialized health workers to deliver quality care.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fox13now.com