May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The mission is to educate folks on mental health, advocate for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc., and teach different coping tools for a variety of different things. The overall goal is to reduce the stigma around issues regarding mental health and receiving help.
This is a check-in to see how you have been doing during Mental Health Awareness Month and a reminder to use coping tools, different outlets or seek help if needed.
4 Ways You Can Manage Your Mental Health
Daily Check-ins
Each day, ask yourself how you are feeling physically, emotionally and mentally. Taking a few minutes to take stock of where you are is an important way to practice mindfulness and stay on top of your wellness.
Take a much needed break
Go outside and enjoy this nice weather, take a few deep breaths and soak up the sun. Even 5 minutes outside will make you feel better.
Find your outlet
Whether creative, inter-relational or physical, we all need a person, place or thing to get our thoughts and emotions out. Checking-in with family and friends is a great way to receive support, writing or drawing in a journal or going to a gym/yoga studio.
Assess if you need additional support
There are many resources available to find support or assess if you need additional help. Some of these resources include emdria.org and psychologytoday.com. Social media outlets, especially tiktok and instagram, have helped to rapidly spread awareness and education about mental health. Hashtags, for example, are a great way to consistently get update on content and information that is important to you, such as #emdrtherapy or #mentalhealthtips.
You can also follow us on social media on Instagram for regular updates of infographics, videos, and all other things mental health & trauma informed care related!
We are here if you need help! You deserve it and you are worthy of it!
Let's all continue to spread the word about mental health so we can continue to end the stigma!
By STEPHANIE POLIZZI, M.A., LMHC
Stephanie Polizzi is a licensed psychotherapist (LMHC) in Scarsdale, NY at Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling. Stephanie specializes in tweens, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, eating disorders, behavioral challenges, life transitions and trauma. Stephanie uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and EMDR Therapy in her work with clients.