World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world, and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
At SmartShape, we know that weight loss is a journey not a destination. We want to make sure you have the mental and physical support you need on your journey.
You may battle many demons that may have contributed to your struggles with your weight and you can experience issues along the way on your weight loss journey, such as depression. Obese people have been found several times to have higher rates of depression. For example, David A. Kats, MD and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison assessed quality of life in 2,931 patients with chronic health conditions including obesity. They found that clinical depression was highest in obese participants (BMI over 35).
Other researchers also have identified higher rates of depression symptoms in obese people. Evidence from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study indicates that clinically significant depression is three to four times higher in severely obese individuals than in similar non-obese individuals.
“Depression on a level indicating psychiatric morbidity was more often seen in the obese,” the authors, Professor Marianne Sullivan and her team from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden wrote in a journal article. They reported that the depression scores for obese people were high or higher than those for patients with chronic pain.
Spreading Awareness, Reducing Stigma – MIAW 2016 is October 2nd to 8th
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada. If you or someone you know is battling mental health issues, there is help. For more information on how to access this help, visit http://www.camimh.ca/mental-illness-awareness-week/about-miaw/.
Fortunately, many studies have also shown that the most effective treatment for depression and depression symptoms is the significant and sustained weight loss achieved with the comprehensive weight loss programs offered at SmartShape. LAP-BAND, Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass are all extremely effective in the treatment of depression and reduction in the use of anti-depressant medications.
SmartShape helps patients with all the support systems they may need, both before and after their surgery with us. We are proud to call past patients our “SmartShape Family” as they do us, and we would love to welcome you to our family as well!
For more information on how SmartShape supports your weight loss journey, both physically AND mentally, visit http://bit.ly/SmartShapeProgram.