Mental Health Awareness Month
As Mental Health Awareness Month wraps up ...
I decided to take a moment and touch on my personal thoughts on this subject, because I believe it's an important one.
'Mental Health' is broad and complex. A quote that summarizes my thoughts best is "be kind for everyone is fighting their own great battle." It is important to mention up front that everyone's mental state looks and feels different and that is normal.
Personally, I gauge mental health on a current snapshot of my overall emotions/feelings, my actions, and perceived control. I also note how others are perceiving my behavior. Checking in on your overall mental health doesn't always have to be a negative thing, it can also be a positive way to reflect on the state of your overall well-being. Conversations around mental health are extremely important, and just having a conversation is what matters most. Not everyone has access to sufficient mental health professionals, so if you are struggling it's important to communicate that to someone you trust and of course always seek a medical professional when necessary.
I've experienced my own struggles with mental health. A few years ago my mom passed away and I saw a professional who assisted me with the grieving process. During those times it was helpful to have a great support system and outlets to channel my energy, for me sports helped tremendously. I think having hobbies, 'healthy' outlets, and someone who you trust that you can speak with and confide in is important. In addition, being involved in sports taught me how to be a leader, perform and manage high stress situations, as well as time management. These are still coping skills I utilize in my adult life today.
Routines are also vital to maintaining my personal mental health. Getting enough sleep (this looks different for everyone), health/ diet, making sure I'm eating well and getting the nutrients I need. Exercise/movement. I'm aware not everyone has access to all of these things but my advice is to work on what you can improve and control. Another recommendation would be 'The Book of Joy' - on how to stay positive in extreme situations. Making sure to focus on the positive vs. negative, positive self-reflection, and taking care of your overall mental wellness (whatever that looks like for you).
Lastly, I believe that medium-large+ businesses have a responsibility to provide mental health coverage for employees and their families, in addition to access to crisis hotlines. Employee assistance programs should be made readily available at all levels. Managers should receive training on these resources and be held to a certain responsibility when taking on higher level positions to encourage open dialogue from the top down.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, and feedback. Together we can be a more kind and understanding society that encourages conversations such as these, instead of stigmatizing them.
