Making Healthy Choices in the New Year

2022 was a hard year for many people. In all the chaos, it can be hard for some people to get a grip on their anxiety. Now that the new year is here, providers may encounter patients who are itching to improve their physical and mental health: new year, new me. It’s important that, as a provider, you know the best resources your patients can use to make healthier choices in 2023.

Physical Health

Most providers and health care professionals know that Arkansas ranks high nationally in obesity rates. In fact, Arkansas’ obesity rate (36.4%) is the ninth worst rate in the nation. This is due to a number of factors, including high food costs and high rates of poverty across the nation. As the obesity rate has seemed to remain stagnant, the convenience and access to local resources that promote physical health have increased. Providers and other professionals can use the following resources to help their clients improve their physical health.

MyPlate: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set up a free online resource that breaks down the five food groups into terms that anyone can understand. When you click on any section of the plate, you will learn how much of that food group your diet should consist of, what types of foods are in that food group, and why each food group is important.

2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: While this resource is larger, it is written specifically for a professional audience, including policymakers, health care providers, nutrition educators, and Federal nutrition program operators. The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHA) update this guideline every five years. This guide provides valuable advice on “what to eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, promote health, and prevent disease.” The guideline is broken down into six chapters, each focusing on a specific group of people: nutrition across the lifespan, infants and toddlers, children and adolescents, adults, women who are pregnant or lactating, and older adults. The guideline is comprehensive and details healthy dietary patterns, healthy food alternatives, and special considerations.

MedlinePlus: The National Library of Medicine (NLM), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has created a landing page specifically for health and nutrition. What’s great about this resource is that there is a Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements encyclopedia where you can search for the name of a drug or supplement by name. You can click on the name of the drug/supplement and see how/why the medication is used, precautions, dietary instructions, side effects, overdose info, and more. This is a great resource for providers and nutritionists to quickly look up a new drug/supplement if they are unfamiliar with it.

Move Your Way: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Prevention has a great tool that anyone can use to find safe and fun ways to get active. Professionals might find this resource interesting because it provides tools and resources for adults, parents, and women (before and after pregnancy). While other resources may provide catch-all tools and information, this one is tailored specifically to various groups. There is even an interactive tool that allows users to create their own weekly activity plan.

Mental Health

While physical health plays a critical role in an individual’s overall health, mental health is arguably more critical. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), around 5% of adults in Arkansas live with serious mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression; only 46.5% of those adults receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers. The remaining 53.5% receive no mental health treatment. Providers and other health care professionals can utilize the resources below to help their clients meet their mental health needs.

Arkansas Department of Health Division of Aging, Adult, & Behavioral Health Services: DAABHS promotes and funds substance abuse treatment/prevention and services for people with mental illness, older Arkansans, and adults with physical disabilities. While their main site is helpful, the Substance Abuse or Mental Health Treatment landing page is the true gem here. This landing page provides clickable links to counseling services lists, community mental health centers, and a substance use disorder treatment state-funded directory. There are even additional resources, like the Arkansas Quitline, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Arkansas 2-1-1: Providers can teach patients about this free referral and information helpline that connects people to a variety of health and human services. On the site, patients type in the type of service they are looking for and their zip code, and the page will populate with local organizations they can visit. The site shows contact information for each organization, as well as a brief explanation of the services they offer. If patients do not have reliable internet access, they can simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone in any state. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

National Alliance on Mental Illness–Arkansas: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nationwide advocacy group representing families and people affected by mental health disorders in the U.S. The organization is organized by state and local affiliates, one of which happens to be in Arkansas. Their website provides information about local support groups and educational materials and even includes a confidential, free 24/7 counseling line. Patients, providers, and health care professionals can enroll in classes on their website and learn how they can seek help, advocate for one another, and gather resources to assist those struggling with mental illness.

It is crucial to a patient’s overall well-being that providers meet their physical and mental health needs. The resources above will help providers and health care professionals know where to turn when a patient comes to them for help. When providers familiarize themselves with local support services, they can cultivate a stronger relationship with patients and work with them to improve their health. For more resources and more ideas for how you can help, visit the CDC’s Mental Health page, or the Arkansas Department of Human Services Programs for Mental Health & Abuse Issues or Division of Aging, Adult, & Behavioral Health Services pages.