5 Things to Include in Your Mental Health Toolkit

Mental toolboxMost people have at least a few helpful tools readily accessible when needed. Screwdrivers, a hammer, and a tape measure are traditional tools I like to have at arms-length. When it comes to mental health tools, I recommend having at least three effective coping tools that are the most useful for you. If there are any safety concerns, it is also important to have a plan for safety readily accessible to include names and numbers of people you can contact. Having more tools in your toolbox is a great way to be better equipped for whatever challenges you may face. Situations will be different, as will the strategies that are most effective. Tools for coping with loneliness are likely going to differ from those needed to cope with panic or anger so it is important to have a well-stocked toolbox.

For folks with more severe and persistent mental health problems, having a fully stocked toolbox is going to be considered essential. Individuals who have been diagnosed with the following mental health or medical conditions are likely going to need a treatment team for support, in addition to a wide variety of tools to access. This includes but is not limited to those experiencing:

These five questions will help determine which tools are going to be most helpful.

  1. What are the primary concerns/ symptoms you are struggling with?
  2. Are there any immediate safety concerns?
  3. Have there been any significant changes in symptoms of the mental health or medical condition?
  4. Are you taking any medications, as prescribed? Is there any use of mind-altering substances?
  5. Have you talked to your therapist and/ or therapist?

Therapy is a great place to learn different strategies to help with symptom management. This can include therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy to work with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Social and peer/ group support are especially helpful as well as connecting to community resources. Coordination of care is also recommended so that all involved supports such as therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, and case managers can work together. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline are available 24/7. https://988lifeline.org/

Some people may need to use tools for the rest of their life to manage their mental health, and that is OK!

There is no shame in using your tools and support is available to help empower you to utilize the tools you need.

Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC

SCHEDULE
MEET CLINICIANS
NEW TO THERAPY?
RESOURCES

Building Youth Confidence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Suicide Awareness

The Impact of Suicide. Your Words Matter.

Suicide is more common than we’d want to admit. Suffering is part of the human experience, and there are a lot of heavy stressors that weigh people down.

Supporting Teacher’s Well-being

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

6 Things to Consider in Supporting Children’s Adjustment to Change

Change can be difficult, especially for children when their need for safety and stability is uncertain. Establishing consistent and predictable routines helps children feel secure.

Because, College is Hard!

The transition to college can be exciting, but also difficult. You may be leaving the comforts of home and sharing space with others for the first time while managing stressors associated with college life.
Inc.5000 Award

INC 5000 Award

CARE Counseling makes the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing private companies for three years in a row!

MSP Magazine News Feature

CARE Counseling was featured in an article on “Mental Health: Hurdles to Help,” by Lindsey Scharold with Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.

Life Satisfaction: 7 Things to Nurture Emotional Well-Being

“The best predictor for adult life satisfaction is subjective well-being and emotional health during childhood” according to the World Happiness Report. Less than half (47%) of Americans report being “very satisfied” with their own lives.

CARE Counseling Announces New Doctoral Internship

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

Bracing Yourself for Change: Flexible Vs. Blinded Optimism

Change is stressful, and there will be going to be challenges and these will be temporary; however, this is also an opportunity to utilize your strengths and access the internal and external resources that are available.

Suicide Prevention for Co-Workers: 5 Action Steps

The death of a co-worker can come as an unexpected shock, especially when they have died by suicide. If you are aware that a colleague is struggling, you can make a significant impact in helping them get the care they need.

Clinicians Info

clinicians-info

Customized Meditations for You

What comes to mind when you hear the word meditation? Stereotypes hold some people back from mindfulness practice. That is unfortunate. It is important to dispel the myths and understand the things people get wrong about mindfulness.

Going from Good to Great When You Are Not OK

How often do you get asked, “How are you?” and the polite go-to response is “I’m fine” or “good” thank you. How are you? These phrases are common greetings in the United States but seem to lack much depth.

The Client-Therapist Relationship: Transactional or Relational?

There is a transactional element that is present in receiving therapeutic services; however, a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the success of therapy.
Summer health tips- blue sky with hands in yoga pose

6 Summer Health Tips to Feel Amazing This Summer

Making lifestyle changes has a significant impact on mental health and well-being. When you take care of your body and engage in safe and enjoyable activities, it has a direct impact on how you think and feel about yourself.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Meditation helps one become more present, utilizing the practice of being mindful. Perhaps you already have a basic understanding of meditation

Emotional Intelligence for Families

Self-awareness is a key skill of emotional intelligence. One way to build self-awareness early within a child’s life is to build their feelings vocabulary.

CARE COUNSELING IS A 2024 TOP WORKPLACE

CARE Counseling has been recognized in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for the third year in a row!  In 2024, CARE was named on the National Standard Setters list.

Men’s Mental Health Month

CARE Counseling was featured in an interview on the “Stigma still surrounds mental health issues in men,” with Laker Pioneer press.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Intersectionality of PRIDE and Juneteenth

In honor of Juneteenth in the middle of PRIDE month, intersectionality is a reminder that we hold multiple identities such as our race/ ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, religion, disability, and age that create unique lived experiences for each person, resulting in different advantages and disadvantages.

Relationship Violence

Partner abuse, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, abuse and violence in relationships are all too common.