Originally Published: May 17, 2025 at 09:35 AM MDT
Watch the video on Fox 31 Denver’s Website.
Porch Light Health’s Steve Carleton spoke with Fox31 Denver for Mental Health Awareness Month. Watch the video for tips about how to talk to loved ones when mental health issues are present, as well as some signs you might notice.
Fox 31
We’re here at 8:00. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this morning we are joined by Chief Clinical Officer Steve Carleton from Porch Light Health. Thanks for being here. We always appreciate your time. You’re here to discuss what you can do to either help yourself or help a loved one because this can be a tough conversation to have. And so my first question with it being Mental Health Awareness Month, why is this an important conversation?
Steve Carleton
It’s important because at some point in an American’s life, there’s 50 % chance that you’re going to have a mental health issue that you’re struggling in with and that you need some help with and you need some support with. And so it’s something that, whether it’s you or somebody very close to you, you’re likely to have a problem at some point.
Fox 31
And so it can feel really isolating. It can feel really alone. But you’re definitely not alone if you are experiencing this. What are some of the more common things that you guys see?
Steve Carleton
I think for adults, stress and anxiety. And where there’s smoke, there’s fire. So if you’re feeling anxiety, typically at some point you’re going to feel down or even even depressed. And those are certainly the most common problem.
Fox 31
We hear those words a lot, anxiety and depression. What are some of the signs, the telltale signs that it’s not just a bad day, something’s going on?
Steve Carleton
So we think about our mind. So we think about the thoughts and the stories that we tell ourselves, and sometimes those are helpful, and sometimes they’re really not. We think about physical symptoms. So the stress, like sweating, shaking, not sleeping well. And then we think emotionally, just carrying that stress and feeling nervous and on edge.
Fox 31
Sometimes it’s maybe hard to recognize it in yourself. Maybe you’re feeling it, but you’re thinking, I’m fine. But we are around our friends and our family a lot, and you might notice something in someone that is in your life. How do you bring up a conversation like that?
Steve Carleton
Yeah, that’s absolutely right. Sometimes it happens so slowly and gradually that people don’t notice it themselves. And it’s your family member that’s noticing a change, noticing a difference in how you’re behaving and how you’re operating in daily life. And so bringing it up to them directly and compassion.
Fox 31
What about lifestyle changes? Can things like that help?
Steve Carleton
Absolutely. So when we think about depression and anxiety, sleep is huge. Your diet is huge. And then, of course, exercise. So mental health is your health, right? You can’t be healthy without a healthy mind.
Fox 31
Where’s that fine line between being able to make those lifestyle changes at home and really benefiting yourself and then having to take that leap and go get help.
Steve Carleton
It’s when it surpasses a point where you’re able to function and fulfill those basic life obligations. When you pass a point where you just can’t function the way you used to, that’s a sign that you definitely need help. Hopefully, people are reaching out before they get to that point, right? When you’re starting to notice things slip, when you’re starting to notice those normal behaviors, those normal patterns start to go away, if you start drinking or using substances in response, these are some signs that.
Fox 31
These conversations that we’re having right now or the fact that we have an Awareness Month, is this all for the greater good of trying to help break down stigmas?
Steve Carleton
That’s exactly what it is, right? If we can talk about it, if we can normalize it, if we can say, hey, look, about 50 % of people out there are going to have a mental health, and all of a sudden light bulbs can go on. People can say, oh, maybe I’m not alone.
Fox 31
Yeah. So what is the best thing you can do? If you’re listening to right now and you think, Gosh, I know someone that fits exactly what we’re talking about or you yourself, what should you do right now?
Steve Carleton
Well, what you shouldn’t do is use therapy as a threat. You need therapy. That’s never really a great option. But what you can say is, I’m concerned about you, and I want to help you get better. I want to help you get some help. That’s a great place to start.
Fox 31
Where can people get more information, maybe go through what you guys do? What are the next steps here?
Steve Carleton
I think Nami has a great website, N-A-M-I, Searchlight Health is a great option online as well.
Fox 31
Anything else that you want to tell our viewers that we haven’t talked about yet?
Steve Carleton
Just co-occurring mental health, right? So when you think about mental health, when we think about diet, exercise, sleep, we also think about the ineffective ways people manage mental health, and substance use is certainly top of that list.
Fox 31
Yeah, certainly don’t want one thing to lead to another. Well, thank you for coming here and having the conversation. And so, yeah, we’ll have more information online. Thanks for the great resources and having the conversation.
