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FAQs
What is mental health and why is it important?
Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and it plays a crucial role in handling stress, relating to others, and making decisions. Good mental health is essential at every stage of life from childhood through adulthood, and contributes to overall well-being and productivity.
How can I tell if I need to seek help for a mental health issue?
It might be time to seek help if you experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety; drastic changes in mood, behavior, or sleep patterns; withdrawal from social activities; difficulty coping with daily problems; or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It’s important to reach out to a mental health professional if these symptoms interfere with your daily life.
What types of mental health professionals are available to help me?
There are various mental health professionals available, including psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists (counselors), social workers, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Each type of professional offers different services, such as therapy, counseling, medication management, and support for specific issues. The best professional for you depends on your specific needs and the type of care you’re seeking
What are some common treatments for mental health conditions?
Common treatments for mental health conditions include psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and psychodynamic therapy), medication (such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicals, and mood stablizers), and lifestyle changes (such as exercise, diet, and mindfulness practices). Treatment plans are often tailored to the individual and may involve a combination of these approaches.
How can I support a friend or family member who is struggling with their mental health?
Supporting someone with mental health struggles involves listening without judgement, encouraging them to seek professional help, and offering practical support, such as helping with daily tasks or accompanying them to appointments. Educate yourself about their condition, respect their privacy, and avoid minimizing their feelings. It’s also important to take care of your own mental health while providing support.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
Empower Wellness offers a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with Mental Health Management Inc. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. We take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Mental Health Management’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate if it may be a good fit for you.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement.
Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In our work with Mental Health Management Inc. we only use the nebulized form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45-60 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.