Mental Health in Omaha – December 2021

The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that one in five adults experience mental illness. The average delay between symptom onset and treatment is a staggering 11 years. The need for mental health services and awareness is high, so we spoke to some local experts to learn more. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with a mental illness or you’re overcoming a life trauma, we encourage you to keep reading to find out how you can either find your own help or be a part of helping to bring more awareness into the community.

Healing from Trauma

Mental illness covers a wide scope of conditions. For some, it could mean an addiction or form of depression, while others may be recovering from a traumatic event. Every trauma is different and everyone has a different story. This is something Jill Krelle of A Better Way Therapy (abetterwaytherapy.com) understands very well. On Sunday, September 14, 2014, Jill suffered second- and third-degree scald burns that encompassed 40% of her face and scalp. For her, everything in her life now either falls in the “before” or “after” category of this event. Over the last seven years, Jill’s required 22 surgeries, four skin grafts, four tissue expanders in her scalp and neck, one Medpore ear implant, one internal pain pump, two spinal catheters, one metal spinal plate, and 29 spinal fibrin glue patches to treat her chronic spinal fluid leak. Especially at the beginning, this all made her feel like a broken person who was of no real value to anyone. There were times when she thought about ending her life. Instead, despite all her inner turmoil, Jill would do her best to get up and go to work every day pretending to be the person everyone remembered.

“I just wanted things to be back to ‘normal’,” said Jill. “I worked tirelessly to look perfect and always act happy. I was scared that people would see my scars and it would cause some sort of negative reflection on me as a person. It wasn’t until the last two years that I’ve really started to feel more comfortable with my body and its limitations.”

As an EMDR trained therapist, Jill never approaches a situation thinking that because she’s a survivor she can relate to anything a client is going to say. Quite the contrary, she explores their trauma stories with them and asks questions. She realizes that, while she wears her scars on the outside, so many peoples’ scars are internal—but no less painful.

“When dealing with trauma I always express to survivors that we can’t judge our experience against that of others,” said Jill. “I’ve had people hear my story and they recoil a bit, as if they have nothing to complain about in their life. I never want to illicit that reaction. What affects us deeply is unique to us and therefore it can’t be rated on a scale of whose suffering is the greatest. We are allowed to let things affect us exactly as they do, and we needn’t apologize for it.”

Jill’s experience does give her the ability to understand and empathize with so many different situations, thoughts, and emotions. She works to model things like being authentic and expressing her thoughts and feelings which can provide clients with a safe space to do the same. This aids in creating a stronger therapeutic bond which, in turn, can
help her clients feel safe to process their trauma.

“I am thankful for my education which taught me the therapeutic process and how to practice in so many different therapeutic modalities,” said Jill. “I am equally, if not more grateful for the knowledge I gained after my accident. That is where the true learning came into focus.”

Jill is preparing to go in for her 30th fibrin glue patch for another spinal fluid leak. She is dealing with the pain associated but also trying to take in the lessons it teaches.

“Without pain, there is no healing,” said Jill. “I think of my clients who experience their own pain, but they deal with it and keep coming to sessions working towards their own healing. It is in these moments where I embrace strength from them. They are a huge part of my motivation to heal. I look back at that fateful day that forever changed my life. I realize that, despite all the trauma, I wouldn’t be who I am today without that event and I know, with certainty, that I love myself more now in the ‘after’ than I did ‘before’.”

Mental Care is Health Care

Clearwater Counseling, PC (clearwatercounselingpc.org) is a private practice providing outpatient mental health services at locations in Omaha and Grand Island. We spoke to Kayla Leddy, MS, LIMHP, LIPC, CA, and co-owner, about some of the things we can do as a community to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health illness.

“While it’s not necessary to know every detail about mental health care, it is very beneficial to know why it is so important,” said Kayla. “Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also determines how we handle stress,
relate to others, and make health choices. The bottom line is that mental care is health care. Once you’ve been enlightened about the necessity of mental health care, shed some light for others. Talking about mental health only helps the cause.”

If you notice someone struggling with mental health, Kayla encourages you to not turn your cheek and offer help when you can and let others know that professional help is also available.

“Before you speak, always think about how your words can be perceived,” Kayla shared. “Consider how you might feel if someone said something to you that was hurtful. Also, examine your own judgmental thinking that may have been reinforced by society or upbringing. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution.”

With winter settling in and the holidays in full swing, this season is beyond busy and it can be easy to push therapy to the side. Make sure you put your health first by keeping your scheduled sessions. This time with your therapist will allow you to address and overcome the worries and obstacles you are facing.