Encourage Mental Health

Tomorrow night was supposed to be my induction ceremony (thanks Covid), so I’m celebrating instead by telling my story. When I was a junior in college, I began having mental health symptoms which I tried to ignore; I was too busy. Days after my semester ended, I had a complete mental break which left me panicked, paranoid, and unable to leave my house or stay home alone out of fear. Within weeks, I went from writing a 25-page paper on The Enlightenment to my mind racing so fast that I could not drive, read, or write. It was devastating. Over the next 6 months, I was hospitalized 5 times, spending nearly 3 months total inpatient. The most painful day of my treatment was when I needed to withdraw from my senior year.  During my intensive treatments and medication changes, I pushed myself to re-enroll. However, I became more symptomatic and overwhelmed. I wasn’t ready. I ended up taking a medical leave to focus solely on recovery.  After several years of treatment, I felt more co...

While some people thrive on New Year's resolutions, I do not. When I developed my mental health condition in 2013, I realized the importance of taking life day by day. While I do have goals, and I am thrilled to be completing graduate school this August, I take early January to remind myself of what brings meaning to my life and reassess what I can do to show kindness to myself and others. This year, I am not setting a New Year’s resolution, but I am instead vowing to do something each day to better someone’s life. Whether I am taking care of my own needs, or helping my family, my neighbor, or a stranger, I want to make the world a better place, and that begins with simple kindness. Reminding someone, even yourself, that there is still good in the world is the first step in perpetuating hope, appreciation, and community. While we may try to eat cleaner, walk further, and go to sleep earlier this year, I encourage everyone to choose kindness in 2021.

  Break-up letter to 2020 Dear 2020,   You taught me…   We had some good times…   I will forever appreciate…   But now it’s time to say good-bye.   I’m leaving behind…   I look forward to…   I have hope for…   This new year will bring more memories, friendships, insights, obstacles, and opportunities for growth. I will begin this next chapter with more wisdom and resilience than the last.   Sincerely,

  Mental Health Schedule   Day Morning Afternoon Night Monday       Tuesday       Wednesday       Thursday       Friday       Saturday       Sunday       Try to fill in each space with a self-care strategy or coping skill! They could be as simple as deep breathing for one minute to longer like taking a walk outside. Always remember to forgive yourself if you don't fill in every box. Suggestions from The Mighty community Stretching and deep breathing Spending time with a pet Pray Have a cup of tea Listen to music Reflecting and journaling D...

Coping with Therapy Downtime       In my own treatment and in working with individuals and families, I have experience with Therapy Downtime. Whether someone is between sessions, switching therapists, or even waiting for their very first appointment, this lapse or anticipation can cause its own anxiety or stress. What can we do in this in-between to manage symptoms, keep progressing with recovery, or ask for help? These are some resources and strategies to try during Therapy Downtime. 1. One thing we’ve learned through this pandemic is how much can be done virtually. While a lot of support and therapeutic groups had already existed virtually, organizations and professionals have been motivated or mandated to provide groups online or by phone. This means someone in North Dakota could access a support group normally offered in California. In addition, local therapeutic groups can be held on Zoom rather than in an office. What a great opportunity to show off your cute p...

  Nature and Wellness “A walk in the woods walks the soul back home.” -Mary Davis “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” -Lao Tzu “Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.” -George Eliot Created during the Mental Health Reset on 8/23/2020 Calming scenes in nature: First snow of the season, watching birds and bunnies eating flowers, fall foliage, hummingbirds in the garden, pumpkin patches, rocks near the stream, Christmas trees, seeing the deer or foxes, leaves falling, the smell of rain, the sound of waves, cornfields, cows in a pasture, palm trees, smell of pine and sage, looking at beautiful buildings, the beach, Pacific Ocean, slight breeze on a calm day, the sound of snow packing down when you step on it, waterfalls, sunrises, sunsets, lakes and rivers   How we can incorporate nature into our everyday lives: Have a pet Herb garden Watering your garden Deep breathing House plants (or fake pl...

  Inspire Yourself Created during the Mental Health Reset on The Mighty August 16, 2020   Words: Hope, faith, believe, enthusiasm, strength, strong, persevere, courage, mighty, support, tenacity, future, learn, improve, kindness, appreciation, grateful, love, peace, breathe, humor, laugh, encourage, leap, brave, resilience, family, present, fierce, try, compassion, blessing   Affirmations: I am strong, I am enough, I can get through this, this too shall pass, I am worthy and deserving, You are someone else’s reason to smile, It’s okay to ask for help, I am unique, I am hopeful, It’s okay, I am entitled to a few mistakes, Let go and let God, I am allowed to cry, You can change someone’s life, Be a friend, I’ve got this!   Quotes: Allie “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” Unknown Kathy “I am brave, I am bruised, this is me” from The Greatest Showman Benita “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”...