May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being. Making mental health care and support a regular part of our lives is a valuable gift that we can give to both ourselves and future generations.

Mental health is as important as physical health

We may all require mental health assistance at various times during our lifetime.In the years since we established Tri- City Psychology Services, seeking help has become more normalised, however there still is a way to go.

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A significant obstacle preventing people from seeking mental health assistance is the social stigma surrounding mental illness. However, it is essential to remember that there is no shame in seeking out a compassionate and understanding listener. Often, simply having someone listen to our concerns and explore potential solutions can make all the difference in improving our mental health.

There are many things we can do to strengthen our mental health and improve our overall well-being. Here are some strategies to consider:

Practice self-care: Self-care involves taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental needs. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and making time for activities you enjoy.

Build resilience: Resilience is the ability to recover from adverse change. By gaining some knowledge about how our minds work, we can improve our ability to handle our emotions in a healthy way, leading to increased resilience and overall well-being. Resilience isn’t about feeling good all the time. It’s also about learning to cope psychologically with the  bad things. It takes a toolbox of different things to be healthy  Seek out support from friends, family, or mental health professionals to help you navigate difficult times.

¹ Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016643281830322X?via%3Dihub

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You can practice mindfulness through activities like meditation¹ , deep breathing, or yoga. Why Should I  Meditate~ Sam Harris

Connect with others: Social support is essential for maintaining good mental health. Make time for social activities and reach out to friends and family for support when you need it.

Seek professional help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy, medication, or a combination of both can be effective in treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Set realistic goals: Setting and achieving goals can help you feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. However, it’s important to set goals that are realistic and achievable to avoid feelings of failure or disappointment.

² Research has also shown that the overuse of devices and social media can be linked to an increase in loneliness as well as depression in teens.

²Limit screen time: Excessive screen time can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. American Psychological Association Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence, Make sure to take breaks from electronic devices and spend time engaging in other activities.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. By prioritizing self-care, building resilience, and seeking support when needed, you can strengthen your mental health and improve your overall well-being.

Do you have a query or problem that you would like to talk about, or are you curious to hear more about how we can help you?

Whatever you want achieve through therapy our caring team is ready to help.

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