Mental Health Day Around the World and at NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida

October 10, 2015, marks World Mental Health Day. It is recognized internationally and by the United Nations as a time to raise public awareness about mental health issues worldwide. The event is also intended to promote open discussions on mental illnesses and investments in prevention and treatment services. World Mental Health Day is an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMF) which is the UN’s directing and coordinating authority for health.

All aspects of life are affected by mental health. It impacts thoughts, actions, dealings with others, dealing with life occurrences, including traumatic events, and decision-making. Moreover, it influences the way in which we view ourselves, others and our lives going forward.

A “mental health disorder” can refer to myriad of emotional and behavioral disorders, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• While mental health disorders can be genetic or caused by chemical imbalances, they often result from catastrophic injuries such as:
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Mild brain injury (MBI)
• Spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Traumatic amputations
• Multiple trauma

If the mental health disorder resulted from a TBI or an MBI, it might be because a specific portion of the brain sustained trauma that controls aspects of mental health. For example, an injury to a part of the frontal lobe called the prefrontal cortex may result in problems with guiding head and eye movements. But because the prefrontal cortex has a big role in defining personality, trauma to it can result in mental health issues.

Now, suppose that an individual sustained a catastrophic injury in the form of a traumatic amputation. The mental health issues that could develop would be different. After acute care, the post-acute rehabilitation, including those directed to psychological needs of the individual, may include dealing with:

Issues of anger and blame

Bargaining, which involves trying to postpone the reality of the amputation

Depression. Depression essentially replaces anger and is the most complex stage of grief. Symptoms include sleeping disorders, negative feelings about the individual’s environment, feelings of hopelessness and talking about death

Acceptance and hope. Here, the individual may come to terms with the reality of his or her new condition with the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, family members and others during post-acute rehabilitation. At this point, the individual is on the road to the greatest level of independence that his or her physical and mental condition permits.

When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida, he or she undergoes an independent functional evaluation administered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that may consist of:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor 

From the results of the independent functional evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulate a Client Goal Plan. The Client Goal Plan guides the clinically relevant services delivered by NeuLife Rehab. The Client Goal Plan guides the cognitive, psychiatric, neurologic, psychological and neuropsychological therapy of the Client. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation is the attainment for our Clients of independence to the fullest extent that his or her physical and mental abilities permit.

NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injures (TBI), Spinal cord injuries (SCI), amputations, burns and other catastrophic injuries and challenging diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757