May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S.

Healthcare providers say North Dakota faces a unique set of obstacles when it comes to providing adequate mental health resources.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Most people are aware that gloomy weather can put a damper on one’s mood. But, in North Dakota, the compounding effects stretch further than that.

Some people have to drive hours upon hours for specialized treatment, which can become impossible depending on road conditions in the wintry months.

“We do have patients that travel all over the state, as far as from Western North Dakota, to see us,” said Dr. Douglas Hess of Dakota Adult & Pediatric Psychiatry.

Plus, the sheer logistical realities of these rural cities can increase feelings of isolation.

“If you live in a small town of 500 people, there are fewer options. Fewer groups, fewer activities, fewer people in general,” explained Dr. Alexandra Kohlhase, a clinical psychologist with Essentia.

This sense of isolation shows up particularly strong amongst youth, who experts acknowledge were hit the hardest by the pandemic-era lockdowns.

Many kids are already spending heaps of time on social media and are now turning to content creators to try and determine why they feel the way they do – which providers say can lead to damaging misdiagnoses.

There is some good news, though.

It seems that the stigma against admitting one’s feelings or seeking mental health treatment is beginning to fade.

“There are a lot of people who are coming into therapy for the first time at age 40, 50, 60, even 70,” said Dr. Kohlhase.