Illustration by barks / Stock.Adobe.com
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to set yourself up for success by prioritizing your own mental health. As we all navigate increasingly busy lives, implementing effective mental health strategies becomes essential to staying healthy. Katlyn Kersey, a therapist at the Lindner Center of Hope, shares practical ways you can improve your mental well-being during Mental Health Month—and beyond.
You don’t have to be in a crisis to reach out for help
Everyone experiences hard moments in life. Sometimes we feel off at work or in relationships. Kersey says you don’t have to have a major diagnosis to ask for help. Try to be proactive rather than reactive. When you notice disruptions in relationships or stress at work, any of these warrant support. “There’s no one size fits all with mental health,” adds Kersey. “You might just need a few therapy sessions. The reality is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s OK to not be OK.”
Practicing self-care is essential
“Our life is overwhelming whether we’re a student, employee, a parent, or all of them,” Kersey says. Though everyone’s version of self-care might look totally different, “it’s essential for mental wellness,” she says. Self-care can be small moments and practices or more elaborate rituals, but whatever is important to you—stick to it. Kersey suggests:
- Make a list of self-care acts that are important to you
- Share your ideal self-care list with your partner or a friend so they can help you prioritize the time
- Mark it on your calendar like a doctor’s appointment to keep it as important as other things on your list
“It can tend to feel selfish that I’m carving time out for myself,” says Kersey. “For me to keep myself in a healthy place, [my self-care] has to happen for me to be successful.”
Avoid comparison
Whether it’s social media, moms groups, people at work—we see it all the time. Kersey says it’s common in her practice that parents often compare. It’s easy to imagine that everyone else is doing better, but remember that you’re not seeing the full picture of someone’s life. “It’s easy to imagine that everyone else looks perfect,” says Kersey. “I tell patients all the time that most people are doing the best they can with what they know and what they have at the time—we’re always growing.”
Give validation
Reflect on the positives. It’s so easy to focus on the negatives. “It’s easy to think about the things we could do more or do better, but we don’t give ourselves credit for what we do well,” says Kersey. “Showing up at work, showing up as a parent, or taking care of something are all accomplishments that we don’t give ourselves credit for.”
Seek professional treatment
It’s important to prioritize mental health care when you need it. Kersey says step one is getting an evaluation, just like you’d schedule a physical. “[Getting evaluated] doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It’s an opportunity to get an idea of your mental health status,” says Kersey. She always encourages patients to get a proper evaluation to learn what to be aware of and learn about yourself to avoid self-diagnosing. Visit the Lindner Center of Hope website to learn more about your treatment options.
Facebook Comments