The past is an important part of who we are. Our early upbringing, childhood memories, school experiences, first sexual encounters, relationships, and key decisions that shape our present self. Do you ever feel as if there are aspects of your past that are holding you back to being fully present?
Sunday October 3rd to Saturday, October 9th is Mental-Illness-Awareness-Week.
Did you know that 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental illness each year?
For the 1 in 20 adults that experience a serious mental illness each year, less than two-thirds get treatment. Access to quality care is often a barrier.
Murder mysteries. Missing persons. Unsolved Cases. There is something that pulls us into these stories–the twists, turns, and plot changes. Finding out the truth can be shocking.
As someone who has previously worked in a corporate business setting, the non-profit world, and a community mental health clinic, I have been exposed to a variety of work cultures. I have seen how the work culture directly impacts mental health, for better and for worse.
Relapse is the recurrence and worsening of a condition that has previously improved. For individuals who are in recovery, relapse and even multiple relapses are common. Due to the addictive and chronic nature of drug and alcohol dependence, there is not a quick and easy “cure” but rather an ongoing journey of recovery.
Keeping in mind that relapse is common, it is so important to remain focused on recovery after a relapse.
When relapse occurs during the treatment of substance use disorders, it is an indication that additional support is needed. You are not a failure.
There is incredible power in sharing one’s story. There are various characters that are part of story. The settings and plot change. There is a beginning, middle, and end as well as elements of conflict and resolution.
In a world full of distraction, being fully present is not always easy. Our mind can become stuck in the past. I should of…I could have…Perhaps your mind goes back to a particularly difficult experience and the painful emotions that are associated with that time in your life.
Recovery is for everyone because it benefits everyone. In recovery, we build new connections to ourselves, our families, and our communities. The 2021 National Recovery Month theme, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community” reminds people in recovery and those who support them, that recovery belongs to all of us.
Journaling, reflective-thinking, letter-writing, and gratitude visits are some of the strategies that are utilized within developing a gratitude practice. Simply naming three things that you are grateful for is not enough.
