The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Week 3 – Connecting with others. Social connection is a building block for mental health. People thrive when feeling socially connected to other people. We can all help promote belonging and support connection from individual actions to organizations and policies. Creating more welcoming communities and environments for everyone will support mental health and well-being. Find ways to connect with people you see in your community. Host a gathering, meet for coffee, send a handwritten note, or call someone. Get involved in community design, policies, and actions to influence social connections. For example, communities can prioritizes creating walking and gathering spaces, and shared-use spaces to promote social connection.
Helping others creates opportunity for connection and sense of purpose. Volunteering doesn’t just support a cause; it can help support your mental well-being. Find a volunteer opportunity that is meaningful to you as a way to support your mental health. Search for volunteer matching websites, check with your local community center, or your faith community to find a volunteer opportunity that is right for you.
Check in on your friends and family. Offering support is one of the best things that we can do to get them through difficult times. However, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. The Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends gives ideas on what support can look like, how to offer support, and where to begin.
Community design, policies, and actions to influence social connections, are key building blocks for supporting mental well-being. See the Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities to help you host a community conversation.
I hope you continue to follow along this month as I post weekly key messages. Be the one to start a conversation and engage with others about mental health. Stay tuned for next week as I discuss Connecting With Nature.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Week 2 – Connecting with yourself. Self-connection, or self-care, is about finding practices that help you thrive, and it can include a range of things. It takes purposeful effort, but it can help you maintain or improve your daily mental well-being. Prioritizing time to connect to yourself doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive, and it is important for you to find out what works best for you. Identify a few ways you’d like to prioritize your own well-being. Set aside the time you need to do it, give yourself permission to embrace it if it is hard for you to prioritize yourself, and work towards adding these moments regularly into your life. Know that what taking care of yourself may look like can change over time, and it is okay to adapt to what activities you engage in to fit your needs.
Just like you do things to take care of your body, there are things you can do regularly to tend to your mental well-being. This can look different for everyone. The JED Foundation has a variety of resources to help find ideas to add to your self-care practice.
Learning to recognize and name your emotions and know how they show up for you mentally and physically will help you navigate life when your emotions are strong. The Mental Health Coalition has tools for identifying and dealing with feelings.
Being well connected to other people promotes positive mental health and physical health and gives life meaning. Connecting with others is one of the 10 Tools for Resiliency that Mental Health America has put together to help you feel stronger and more hopeful.
Finding movement that’s a good match for you physically and mentally can help you thrive. Be kind with yourself and your body in the process of learning to move! Explore these videos from the University of Minnesota’s Move + Thrive Project that features diverse bodies and a variety of movement and meditative practices.
I hope you continue to follow along this month as I post weekly key messages. Be the one to start a conversation and engage with others about mental health. Stay tuned for next week as I discuss Connecting With Others!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Week 1 – Let’s talk about mental health. We all have mental health. We all have tough days and weeks, and everyone manages their mental health every day. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and/or behavior. Mental illness is treatable; it is not always a permanent state of being. The opportunities and resources we have available in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities impact our mental health just like they impact our physical health. Mental health is not just about what we do as individuals. For example, when organization and policies support belonging and connectedness, they promote mental health.
We all have mental health every day. Achieving or maintaining mental wellness takes work, and research has found several ways that you can keep yourself healthy. Check out these Keys to Mental Well-being from Berkely University Greater Good Magazine.
Every individual, family, organization, and community can promote mental health and well-being. For example, practicing gratitude and savoring are two individual exercises that can enhance our positive experiences in life. See Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program: How to Flourish for practical ideas to help you flourish.
Mental health is all around us but is often misunderstood. The Roadmap to Mental Health, by the Mental Health Coalition, can explain what we mean when we say “mental health.”
There are many harmful attitudes and misunderstandings around mental health conditions and mental illness. This can make people ignore their mental health, fuel stigma, and make it harder to reach out for help. Take the Mental Health Quiz developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and see if you can separate the myths from the facts.
Everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. Mental Health America’s Tools 2 Thrive provides information, tips, and practical tools for situations that we all deal with. These tools can be used to improve your mental health and increase your resiliency.
I hope you continue to follow along this month as I post weekly key messages. Be the one to start a conversation and engage with others about mental health. Stay tuned for next week as I discuss Connecting With Yourself!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is May 1st and that means the start of Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Let’s talk about mental health. We all have mental health. We all have tough days and weeks, and everyone manages their mental health every day. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and/or behavior. Mental illness is treatable; it is not always a permanent state of being. The opportunities and resources we have available in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities impact our mental health just like they impact our physical health. Mental health is not just about what we do as individuals. For example, when organization and policies support belonging and connectedness, they promote mental health.
Connecting with yourself. Self-connection, or self-care, is about finding practices that help you thrive, and it can include a range of things. It takes purposeful effort, but it can help you maintain or improve your daily mental well-being. Prioritizing time to connect to yourself doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive, and it is important for you to find out what works best for you. Identify a few ways you’d like to prioritize your own well-being. Set aside the time you need to do it, give yourself permission to embrace it if it is hard for you to prioritize yourself, and work towards adding these moments regularly into your life.
Connecting with others. Social connection is a building block for mental health. People thrive when feeling socially connected to other people. We can all help promote belonging and support connection from individual actions to organizations and policies. Creating more welcoming communities and environments for everyone will support mental health and well-being. Find ways to connect with people you see in your community. Host a gathering, meet for coffee, send a handwritten note, or call someone. Get involved in community design, policies, and actions to influence social connections. For example, communities can prioritizes creating walking and gathering spaces, and shared-use spaces to promote social connection.
Connecting with nature. Nature is a natural stress buffer. Supporting connection to nature for individuals, families, and communities can support physical health, reduction in behavior problems, connectedness, belonging, improved attention, and reduced rates of violence. Connection to nature can help mitigate the impact of trauma. For example, we use more of our senses when in nature, which helps us be alert and present in the moment, rather than focused on day-to-day stressors and trauma. We don’t have to walk in the forest daily to get the benefits of nature. Noticing nature while in your neighborhood, spending time in your local park, or even viewing nature from inside can help access the many benefits of nature.
Connecting to resources and supports. When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is happening within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have connections with, including your friends and family, you primary care doctor, spiritual advisor, or local mental health organizations. Help can be found across many places and depends on what type of support that you may need. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you’re not sure that you’d benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore the possibility.
Minnesota’s Mental Health Awareness efforts are rooted in the belief that help is available and healing is possible. You matter. You are loved. You are not alone. Start a conversation and remember to check in on your friends and loved ones.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
Self-harm (Noun). The act of purposely hurting oneself as an emotional coping mechanism. March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. This dedicated month aims to raise awareness about self-harm, breaking the stigma, and providing support and hope to those who have or currently struggle with it.
Self-harm is also known as nonsuicidal self-injury or NSSI. It describes the act of purposely harming oneself, usually as a way to cope with difficult or stressing thoughts and feelings. The most common act of injury is cutting with a sharp object. Some people also cause burns, pull out hair, and pick at wounds to prevent healing. Extreme injuries can also result in broken bones. I’m ashamed to say it, but I have done some of those in the past. But I am also very proud to say, that I am one year free of cutting on my journey! With support, I have lessened my harmful urges, learned to manage my emotions and have developed safer coping mechanisms. My scars act as an incentive to stay focused and to keep going on my road to recovery!
Self-harm is not a mental illness, but rather a behavior. There are several illnesses associated with self-harm, including anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. It is not usually meant as a suicide attempt, but it is a harmful way to cope with emotional pain, sadness, anger, and stress, and should be taken seriously. Life-threatening injuries are usually not intended, but if someone is hurting themself, they may be at an increased risk for more serious injury.
Self-harm mostly happens in private and is done in a controlled manner or the same way each time. It often leaves a pattern on the skin. Some examples of self-harm include:
Cutting, scratching or stabbing with a sharp object.
Burning with matches, cigarettes, or heated, sharp objects such as knives.
Carving words or symbols on the skin.
Self hitting, punching, biting or head banging.
Piercing the skin or inserting objects under the skin.
The arms, legs, chest and belly are the most frequent targets of self-injury, but any area of the body can be injured. Some symptoms of self-harm may include:
Scars, fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks or other wounds.
Excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn.
Wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide injury, even in hot weather.
Frequent reports of accidental injury.
Difficulties in relationships or a change in behaviors that are impulsive, intense, and unexpected.
Talk of helplessness, hopelessness or worthlessness.
If you’re injuring yourself, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for help. Any sign of self-injury is a sign of bigger stressors that need attention. You can start by talking to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or your primary care physician. They can help you take the first steps to successful treatment. While you may feel ashamed and embarrassed about your behavior, you can find support from people who aren’t going to judge you. If you have a friend or family member who is self-harming, gently express your concern and encourage the person to seek medical or mental health treatment. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Call, text, or chat online. There is always hope for healing and recovery!
Here is a list of library materials and other online resources that may be helpful:
February. The month dedicated to love. Whether you celebrate with hearts, flowers, or candy, love is in the air. But it is not just about romance. It is about loving yourself, loving others, and having healthy relationships with family and friends. Today, February 13th, is Self Love Day. It is an annual celebration to appreciate and understand the importance of self-love. In my post from last month, one of the goals I listed was to learn to love yourself more. Rather than focusing on the bad things, drop the habit of judging yourself harshly and start celebrating the good things. When our mental health is down, we become our own worst critics. Make sure you find ways to love yourself and get that boost of self esteem. Self love does not happen overnight. Yes, you may struggle. But as you move forward on your journey, you can look back and see how you paved the path to better mental health and overall well being.
So, how exactly does one go about loving themselves more? We have to stop being so mean. Grant yourself the kindness you grant others. Speak to yourself as you would with a friend. If you constantly beat yourself up, it can make you feel helpless, worthless, and less motivated. Boost that self confidence by giving yourself a compliment. Train yourself to focus on the positives. Write them in a journal or put a post it on a mirror. Positive affirmations are a great way to demonstrate self love. Part of practicing self love is learning to extend compassion and kindness to ourselves.
Next, take care of yourself and prioritize what’s important. Sounds basic enough, right? Eat healthy. Drink plenty of water. Get some exercise. Just start small and imagine what you would tell a child to do. Feeling tired? Get some extra sleep and try to eat a little better. Is your body stiff and out of shape? Incorporate more activity or a routine exercise program. We are often convinced that we are too busy because we all have responsibilities. Think of the things that are most important to you and make more time for them in your life.
And finally, celebrate the little victories and find support if you need it. Set expectations for yourself and work really hard to meet those standards. But don’t beat yourself up when you don’t. Minor accomplishments add up and create momentum for reaching the end goal. Focus on yourself and stop comparing yourself to others. Self love is a lifelong practice and some days will be better than others. Reaching out to the people in your life that you trust and feel comfortable with can help you on your journey. Loving yourself has mental and physical health benefits. It’ll take time, but you just might learn to appreciate a whole new side of yourself.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, safe, and practice self love! ~Sally~
Well, here we are. 2023 is behind us and 2024 has begun. Are you someone who sets New Year’s resolutions? A New Year’s resolution is a tradition in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their behavior at the beginning of a calendar year. Maybe you use another term, like intentions. I like to use the term goal setting. And I am definitely a “to do list” person. It not only makes me feel more organized, but it also helps me focus on the goals I set and (try to) accomplish them in a timely manner. And if I don’t accomplish a certain goal, I know that I am still moving forward in my journey. Progress is progress, no matter what speed you go.
When it comes to your mental health journey, some of your goals could be as simple as regulating your sleep schedule or establishing a routine. Not getting enough sleep can make it harder for you to deal with stress and emotions. Make getting proper rest a priority. Most adults need about 7 to 8 hours of good-quality sleep per night.
Another mental health goal is making a commitment to prioritize self-care. Take time for yourself so you can address your own needs, reduce stress, and pursue a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Dedicate time each day or week to engage in activities that you enjoy. This can include pampering yourself, going out to a movie, or maybe making no plans and just simply reading a book. Reading is like exercise for the mind and is both a distraction and can provide new perspectives.
Here is a list of some mental health goals that you may want to focus on during 2024!
Gratitude. This can include keeping a journal or simply taking a few moments each day to acknowledge the things you are thankful for. One of my goals is to create a “Joy Jar” and write an entry each week. Then at the end of 2024, I can empty the jar and reflect on the wonderful things that I have encountered during the year.
Learn a hobby or something new. A growing mind is healthier than a stagnant mind. Learning is like cardio for the brain; new neural connections are forming and existing connections are being strengthened. As you learn, there is also an opportunity to engage with other individuals that have common interests.
Identify stressors, develop coping mechanisms for stress, and overcoming mental obstacles. A mental health professional can help you learn to better identify and track your stressors or triggers, and how to cope moving forward. You can use coping strategies to manage or reduce your stress and emotions. Therapy/counseling looks different for every person, but clients often start therapy with the intention of working through something difficult to come out on the other side feeling relief.
Journaling. Journal daily about triggers and how to combat them. Journaling is a good way to cultivate a greater sense of direction and context for your day-to-day life. When we fail to reflect on where we’ve been, who we are, and where we’re going, life can begin to feel meaningless.
Meditation. A powerful tool to improve your mental health. Focus your attention on the present moment. Experiment with different techniques and you will eventually find one that works for you and gives you that much needed lift.
Learn to love yourself more. When our mental health is down, we become our worst critics. Make sure that you find ways to love yourself. Practice self appreciation to boost your self esteem. Rather than focusing on the bad things, drop the habit of judging yourself harshly and start celebrating the good things.
So as you venture into the year 2024, make your mental health a priority! You don’t have to accomplish these goals all at once, or even step too far outside of your comfort zone to do so. But little steps will eventually lead to big results! And don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. If you find yourself struggling mentally, reach out. Start with your primary care physician or research therapists and counselors in your area. I have been using therapy and medication for my anxiety and depression for over a year and it is the best thing I have done to help me get back on track! It isn’t always easy, but it is a great feeling knowing there is always hope!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
Wow! I can’t believe it’s almost the end of December and a new year is just around the corner! I hope everyone is able to enjoy some time with family and friends this holiday season. Goodbye 2023. Hello 2024.
With the holidays and the change of season can come a mixed bag of emotions. For some, it is a time for joy and connecting with friends and loved ones. For others, it can be stressful and especially challenging if you are impacted with mental illness. Many people go through periods when they feel sad or unlike their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD.
SAD is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting 4-5 months out of the year. The signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with depression, as well as disorder-specific symptoms that differ from winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD. Not every person with SAD experiences the depression symptoms listed below. To learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health.
Symptom of depression can include:
Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks.
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, irritability, frustration or restlessness, guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities.
Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes.
Physical aches, pains or digestive problems that do not have a clear cause and do not go away with treatment.
Thoughts of death and suicide or suicide attempts.
For winter-pattern SAD, additional symptoms can include:
Oversleeping.
Overeating, particularly craving carbohydrates, leading to weight gain.
Social withdrawal or hibernating.
For summer-pattern SAD, additional symptoms can include:
Trouble sleeping.
Poor appetite, leading to weight loss.
Restlessness or agitation, and anxiety.
Violent and aggressive behavior.
Winter-pattern SAD should not be confused with the holiday blues, which are feelings of sadness or anxiety brought on by stresses at certain times of year. The depression associated with SAD is related to changes in daylight hours, not the calendar, so stresses associated with the holidays are not the same as SAD.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. In life-threatening situations, call 911.
Depression. (A) A mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, lack of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies. (B) A lowering of physical or mental vitality or of functional activity.
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month is a time to prioritize our mental health, de-stigmatize discussions about it, and ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need. It’s a reminder that our mental health is just as vital as our physical health and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 16 million American adults each year. People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms:
A persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood.
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Fatigue or loss of energy.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain.
Restlessness of irritability
Thoughts of death or suicide.
Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. Clinical depression is a serious medical illness and can lead to suicide. It affects men and women of all ages and races. Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that their symptoms are a normal part of life. Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions. Only about one third of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional.
Screenings are not a professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation, if needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience five or more of the above symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine. Please visit Mental Health America Screening Tools to take a quick and easy test. Mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, are real, common, and treatable. And recovery is possible!
Until next month, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
September is here and that means Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is upon us. It’s a cause that is very near and dear to my heart and one that I will always advocate for. It is a month to remember the lives lost, the millions of people who struggle, and those that have been impacted. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, this month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is HOPE, HELP is available, and HEALING is possible!
The theme of this post is CONNECTION. According to the CDC, connectedness may protect against suicidal behaviors. Connection decreases isolation and encourages healthy coping behaviors. Connection can be found within oneself, within relationships, and within community.
CONNECTION FOR OURSELVES. Connection is not just nice to have, but it is essential to health and well-being. People with meaningful social connections have less stress, better sleep, healthier habits and behaviors, a sense of belonging, and better overall health that can lead to a longer life. Connecting can be as deep as a heart-to-heart conversation, or as simple as sharing a “hello” and a smile. Meaningful connections come from people like family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Connection can look like someone willing to help you with a task or someone who listens and validates your feelings. Maybe someone can give you a different perspective than your own or provide advice and support for something you are struggling with. While there are no official guidelines to forming new connections, here are some suggestions for finding and fostering connection with others.
Start a conversation. Talk to people that you already know and build upon that relationship. Take the time to authentically get to know your co-workers.
Join a club or enroll in a class that intrigues you. The people that will be there will already share a common interest with you.
Get involved in your community. Attend events and do things that you have not tried before.
Explore opportunities to serve and help others. Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities that can give you the chance to contribute to something that you find important.
Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to connect with someone to support you with your mental health. Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a friend, a family member, a health care provider or by using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
CONNECTING WITH LOVED ONES. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, connecting with them can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be uncomfortable, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. We can all take action to have these conversations with someone who may be suicidal by using these five action steps from #BeThe1To.
Ask. Findings suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.
Keep them safe. Knowing the answers to the questions can tell us about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in.
Be there. Connecting and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
Help them connect. Work with them to develop a safety plan to guide them through crisis, keep them safe, and get them help.
Stay connected. Make sure to follow up with them to see how they’re doing. This is a great time to see if there is anything else that you can do to support them.
CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY. While we trust our closest friends, family and loved ones, the broader community where we live, work and play also contribute to our feeling of connection. Communities can provide us with an emotional connection with people who share similar experiences. It can also bring a feeling of belonging, a sense of support, and a way to have our voices heard and valued by a wider group of people. Surrounding people and families with neighborhoods, businesses, and services is a critical way to support every person. Communities that work collectively in an intentional and proactive way is vital to creating the changes needed to increase social connectedness and belonging.
While formal programs and policies can be impactful, the norms and culture of how we engage one another, significantly influence social connection. In addition to this culture, here are additional ideas that organizations and communities can consider.
Cultivate values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another.
Model connection values in positions of leadership and influence.
Create opportunities and spaces for social connection.
Offer community-based education, skill-building classes, and encourage attendance at social events and volunteerism.
Actively seek and build partnerships with a variety of community institutions, like schools, health organizations, and workplaces. This can create a culture of connection with the broader community and support those who may be struggling with isolation, their mental health, or having thoughts of suicide.
Know what supports are available for people who need it and provide resources and support to promote mental health and well-being and prevent suicide.
Expand conversations on the importance of social connections where we live, work, learn and play.
CONNECTION TO HOPE AND HEALING. When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Finding hope and healing can be found in many places and comes in many forms to give you the type of support that you need. People you already have a connection with is often a good place to start. This could be your friends and family, a co-worker, your primary care doctor, or someone else that you can trust. Sometimes it is nice to know you are not alone in your struggle. Having peer support can be a great way to connect with others that may have similar experiences as you. If you are unsure about what to do and need to talk to someone, try a local or national phone line to get assistance. This could be calling one of Minnesota’s warm lines or attending a support group. They have trained counselors available to speak with you or your loved one and assist. Professional help can make a big difference, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Ask for referrals from your family, friends, physician, or other people you trust. Another starting point is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. They can help you identify what providers are a part of your plan.
People finding hope and healing is happening every single day. Exploring stories of how others have found hope and healing can also be a powerful way to learn how others have found ways to cope with life’s struggles. Even if you’re not sure that you would benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore your different possibilities.
Until next month, stay happy, healthy and safe! ~Sally~
