Let’s Talk About Mental Health

As we reach the end of another semester, remind yourself of how proud you should be. Reflect on all the good you encounter each day, even when you may find yourself enduring a difficult time. We understand that some days can feel harder than others, and we felt everyone could benefit from some tips that can help positively feed our mental health and well-being.

First, practice self-care. As author Katie Reed says: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.” Some self-care activities could be going for a walk, decluttering something in your house, or putting on your favorite music and dancing around your apartment.

Second, allow space for all of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We often want to recognize our comfortable or “positive” thoughts, feelings, and emotions, but not the ones that are more uncomfortable for us.

Instead of sitting with what makes us uncomfortable, we often push it away. However, thoughts are meant to be thought and feelings are meant to be felt – even the ones we don’t like. These things eventually pass and acknowledging them and making space for them can make them less of a burden.

Third, surround yourself with as many positive and supportive people as possible. Experiencing mental health issues can feel scary and lonely. It is important to surround yourself with people who recognize and support your ability to change and heal. Having people in your life who you can talk to and be transparent with makes the healing process feel less lonely. We often think our discomfort is our problem and that we shouldn’t burden others with it. However, people who care about us would rather offer a helping hand than watch us suffer in silence.

Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for help. Mental illness is all too prevalent in our society despite the abundance of available resources. A few nationwide virtual resources that you can utilize are listed below:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
ENGLISH: 1-800-273-8255 SPANISH: 1-888-628-9454

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline:
English and Spanish: 1-800-662-4357

Disaster Distress Helpline: Multilingual.
Call 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish)
Text “TalkWithUs” for English, or “Hablanos” for Spanish to 66746

Photo by Dustin Belt on Unsplash