Raising Awareness of Mental Health Issues
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we decided for our new series, we’d focus on raising awareness about mental health issues. Struggles with mental health are often the easiest to go unnoticed or untreated. Often, our society seemingly takes the approach of viewing mental health struggles as being ‘not real’ or ‘not significant’. If you fall and twist your ankle or hurt your knee, you can get help and no one questions it, but when you struggle with a depressive episode, when anxiety cripples you to the point you have trouble getting out of bed, or when you feel as though your children, your spouse, or your in-laws don’t value or respect you, where can you turn?
What do I do when mental health affects work?
Recently, I spoke with a friend about work stresses. They expressed dismay at feeling overworked and stressed. “How can I be expected to perform at my best,” they asked, “when I can’t even think straight?” This concern is one I have heard echoed time and time again by a number of friends. Instead of letting it get to that point, when you feel stressed or are struggling because of your mental wellbeing, you might try to take a sick day to recuperate. Even if your employer doesn’t view mental health as being as important as physical health, that doesn’t mean you can’t. In fact, you should! Taking a day for yourself doesn’t mean working from home either. It means taking a day to relax, to pamper yourself, to give yourself time to recharge and relax. Often, this is the most important aspect of being able to cope with and deal with the challenges you face.
How does mental health affect my physical health?
There is a deep connection between mental and physical health. When our mental health is not in a good place, this can have profound influence on our mental wellbeing. You might feel tired, sick, or even experience migraines (and in extreme cases, even seizures). That being said, why should you have to suffer physically just to get the help you need? The answer: you shouldn’t! If you’re experiencing physical ailments because of your mental health, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to help. There’s no reason for you to suffer. Often, with the guidance and help of a trained and experienced therapist, people experience significant positive changes. Many times, all it takes is having someone to listen and help guide you through a troubling time.
How can I seek recovery for my mental health issues?
There are a number of ways to seek recovery. In order to begin the process, one of the most important things you can do is acknowledge and accept that you need help. Remember that it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to need help. Recognize your limitations; acknowledge your true priorities and values. Be reflective. Remember that it’s okay to fail. Don’t hold that against yourself. This is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we live in extraordinary times. Try checking in with your friends. If you’re struggling, chances are they may be too. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to open the door to talk about tough topics like mental health, and once that door is opened, true awareness can begin.
If you’re struggling with issues and feel like you might benefit from talking with someone, our trained counselors are here to help. We understand how difficult the past year has been, and we are happy to assist you. Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, addictions, compulsive behaviors, or trauma, we provide a full range of services to help you and your loved ones reconnect during this difficult time. We also partner with Dr. Marc Ettisohn to provide the proper psychiatric care to you and your family as well.