Where To Start – One Physician’s Story of Healing

Not long after Dr. Akhil Pola left India and came to Carilion Clinic VTCSOM for his residency, he began to feel overwhelmed. As a first-year Psychiatry resident, he noticed his work was becoming his only focus.

“While I love my work, I realized I was using it as an escape, looking for every opportunity to work so I didn’t have to think about what was bothering me, “ says Dr. Pola, who left everyone and everything he knew to begin a new life chapter here in Roanoke.

“It took me a while to realize I was actually pretty lonely without my family and was experiencing anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Pola.

A new culture and new surroundings halfway across the globe from home and all the family and friends you’ve ever known is quite an adjustment. Even when change is positive and desired, it can be overwhelming.

Mental Health in a Changing World

Life changes, relationships, social inclusion, loneliness, pressures of school and work and many other factors can impact our mental well-being.

May is Mental Health Month and this year’s theme is Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World. While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know where to start when it comes to taking care of our own well-being.

Fortunately, Dr. Pola knew about the resources available to him and all Carilion employees and contacted our Employee Assistance Program. He worked with his EAP consultant to get established with resources to provide medication management and a therapist for his mental health. Eventually, he discovered more about himself—like the fact that his anxiety was mostly rooted in social situations—and was reminded of coping techniques he’d taught his patients that could also be applied to his own situation.

Little by little, Dr. Pola put himself in social situations that made him uncomfortable. For example, he ran for secretary of House Staff Association and won, and even found himself speaking to an entire new class of residents soon after!

“These small things added up, building my confidence, and I actually started to realize there’s a lot I can do,” says Dr. Pola.

Breaking the Stigma

Reaching out can be the first step in improving your mental health. In the past, stigmas associated with mental health have prevented people from talking, but with the impact of COVID on psychological well-being, more people are actively seeking care today than a decade ago, or even three years ago. 

Although, Dr. Pola has observed it can be particularly difficult for men to ask for help because of stigmas related to men’s mental health.

“It’s ok to not be ok, and to be vulnerable and ask for help,” says Dr. Pola. “Men, women, children—everyone should be able to speak up about their mental health.”

It’s been three years since he came to the United States. He’s now a third-year resident in Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and was recently elected to be chief resident for the upcoming academic year.

“Treatment was the best thing I could have done and I’m so excited to see the world differently,” says Dr. Pola. “My story is not finished.”

You’re Not Alone

One in five people will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and about half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their lives, with symptoms starting by age 14 for the majority of people.

During Mental Health Month and every day, be sure you’re taking note of your mental health well-being and making it a priority. We have many tools available throughout our system to help you, including:

• Carilion peer support specialists provide one-on-one guidance through your mental health, substance use or trauma recovery journey. Community health workers offer support for your health goals and help you navigate the healthcare system. Call 540-983-4053 for more information about these free services.
• Sign up for free classes and workshops (in-person and virtual) that strengthen mental well-being by visiting CarilionClinic.org/calendar.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) allows you to talk with a licensed mental health professional to get confidential counseling and help with personal and job-related challenges. Carilion covers 100% of the cost for up to five sessions per year, per issue.
• The next Schwartz Rounds will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at noon. The topic is Service, Sacrifice, and Struggle: Navigating One's Mental Health. There is an option to attend in person at the 6th floor auditorium at CRMH or New River Conference Room at CNRV, or virtually via Teams.
• The Center for Grief and Healing has free support groups and grief resources; you can also learn how to appropriately respond to grieving patients and co-workers through Cornerstone.
• The TRUST Team offers compassionate, coordinated care for healthcare team members impacted by adverse patient events and violence in the workplace.
• Our team of chaplains are available for patient care at CMC as well as for spiritual guidance and support for all employees.
• Virgin Pulse has a variety of resources, like an article on improving mental health in the workplace. 
• Aetna, our medical plan provider, offers emotional and well-being support materials, including a mental health awareness guidebook and one for young adults, as well as a flip book that references resources available to all Aetna-enrolled members.
• Health and wellness on CarilionClinic.org offers information from our own experts about self-care, nutrition and other ways to recharge your mental health.
• Local and national free resources are available from our mental health support website.

When self-help efforts to improve your mental health aren’t working, seek professional help. For more information, visit CarilionClinic.org/mental-health.