Stepping Out of the Darkness is a three-part series on mental health in medicine, in education, and in communities. As mental and behavioral health is a rising concern among University of North Dakota students, staff and alumni, we are bringing to light stories and resources for more informed conversations and understanding.
Part 1: The Weight of the White Coat. Part 2: A Place to Belong. Our communities offer identity, but they can incidentally carry distinct challenges. Hear about struggles faced by marginalized individuals and the UND alumni, faculty and staff who are helping them heal. They were years that would later take a toll on his emotional and mental health.
After completing his commitment, Matt enrolled at the University of North Dakota, eventually landing in the English program. During his final semester of undergrad, he ran for a seat in the North Dakota House of Representatives after working as a field organizer for a state political party. During the campaign, Matt began to recoil. An introvert, he was comfortable being alone in his apartment, but his need for isolation became more intense. For veterans like Matt, the process of getting mental healthcare through the U.
Department of Veterans Affairs VA is complicated. The paperwork alone is enough to turn away even the most medically literate. Once he approached the VA, it still took five months to get an initial assessment. After trial and error, he eventually found a therapist, a veteran, who has been a large part of his recovery. In recent years, the attention to providing culturally affirming care care that considers the origins and identities of patients and adapts treatments accordingly has been growing in academia and practice.
Lauren E. Chapple-Love, Ph. The state has the largest disproportion between the number of patients who need doctoral-level mental healthcare and those who can provide it. Mental health professionals often work double-time to make up for the deficit. For example, Dr. Chapple-Love has her own consultation, forensic services and training business, Elle Psychological Services, LLC, and also provides clinical services at another private practice, Southern Nevada Psychological Services.
