It’s a term that has been resurfacing now more than ever: mental health. While this topic has been highlighted more recently in the media, discussed in the work place, and everyday conversation, what does “mental health” actually encompass?
According to mentalhealth.gov, the term, “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act and can even determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.”
With as much focus and attention we put toward other areas of our health, such as our heart health, this is a good reminder that our mental health is just as important to tend to — especially since it affects the quality of our daily lives.
Despite the continual change and uncertainty we’ve been living in, the good news is that the stigma of seeking professional help, setting stricter boundaries, or protecting your emotional well-being is, simply put, turning on its head. Collectively, we’ve been faced with illness, death, shifting relationships, an ever-evolving workforce, and conflicting viewpoints on how to navigate the pandemic. Talk about stressful.
Grant Clowers, LCSW, clinical supervisor at Carson Tahoe Health offers a few pieces of advice. In times like this, Clowers says it is important to validate yourself.
“You can say to yourself, ‘Yes, this is a difficult time, but I am not helpless either,’” he said.
He says all mental health issues, whether it’s anxiety or depression, have a common root cause: Stress.
Fortunately, there are relatively simple ways to manage this.
“Make a commitment to yourself to create positive experiences,” Clowers said. “It gets down to knowing what is positive for you. So, whether it’s listening to music, getting out in nature, meditate, or talking to family/friends, it’s about making an intention to do whatever works best for you to help manage stress. When you make time for doing positive things, it’s like giving a gift to yourself.”
While stress is a normal part of life, it can be debilitating. We want to remind you that help is always available. Carson Tahoe Health provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health services. This includes, but is not limited to, individual and group counseling and support groups.
For details, visit CarsonTahoe.com/BHS or call the Mallory Behavioral Health Crisis Center at 775- 445-8889.
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