Good mental health is essential to overall health and well-being. It is important to know that mental health conditions are common and treatable. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. From stage of life transitions, to difficulties adjusting to new stressors, we can all benefit from taking a proactive approach to addressing and treating our mental health.

This past year presented so many different challenges that tested our strength and resiliency. Local and national events, in addition to the global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. We know that the past year forced many to accept tough situations that they had little to no control over. If you found that it impacted your mental health, you aren’t alone.

In fact, of the almost half a million individuals that took the anxiety screening at MHAscreening.org, 79% showed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety.

The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities. Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. That’s why this Mental Health Month CARE Counseling is highlighting #Tools2Thrive. There are awesome resources available, including practical tools that can help improve your mental health.

Topics include:

• Managing anger
• Frustration
• Recognizing when trauma may be affecting your mental health
• Challenging negative thinking patterns
• Making time to take care of yourself

It’s important to remember that working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. One or two sessions with a therapist won’t be the “magic cure”. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis. A CARE Counseling, by the third session you will have a clear idea of your long-term goals and the short-term objectives to help move you closer towards emotional wellness.

A great starting point for anyone who is ready to start prioritizing their mental health is to take a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and private way for someone to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems. If you are interested in more formal screening, including screening for depression and anxiety, this takes place in the first two sessions at CARE.

To schedule an appointment with one of our professional counselors, click here.

Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC