Kamala Marsh
As we begin a month dedicated to mental health awareness, from the vantage point of a hotel room waiting for a mental health conference, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what mental health means to me, both personally and from a perspective. I would like to take a closer look. I have been a licensed professional counselor for over 20 years.
Defined, mental health can be summarized as a person's condition regarding psychological and emotional well-being. To me, this doesn't even scratch the surface of the many aspects that make up its full meaning. Not only have I experienced mental health issues in the past, but I also come from a family where both members of my family have had mental health issues. It seems logical to look to role models who have been successful. , which I was exposed to when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s as a baby boomer. This is a time when awareness of mental health has begun to be emphasized.
In the spring of 1999, I experienced a home invasion and physical assault. As a result, he not only suffered a traumatic brain injury, but was also left with symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, and compulsive sexual behavior. I have experienced firsthand what it feels like to not have control over your emotions, your health, and your life in general. It turns out there is a correlation between physical health and mental health. We've also observed that some of those emotions and conflicts have resurfaced to some degree during and since the pandemic.
Reports of mental health conditions and chronic illnesses have increased significantly, according to the results of Stress in America 2023, a national survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older conducted by Harris Poll and commissioned by the American Psychological Association. I found out that it is. . The study found that adults aged 35 to 44 reported the largest increase in chronic health conditions since the pandemic – 48% in 2023, compared to 2019. It was 58%. Also, adults ages 35 to 44 experienced the highest increase in mental health diagnoses – 45% reported a mental illness in 2023, up from 31% in 2019.
As Americans, we have experienced many changes regarding mental health treatment over the years. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), from 2019 to 2021, the percentage of adults who received some form of mental health treatment increased from 19.2% to 21.6%. Since the pandemic, as a therapist, I have observed individuals change from one mental health condition to another. Individuals, especially young people, tend to be reluctant to talk openly about their mental health struggles and are more open and willing to discuss the need for therapeutic intervention.
The pandemic has had a huge impact on our mental health. That being said, what can we take away from all this? As we move into May, what can we do to be more aware of and nurture our own mental health needs? Start moving in the right direction Here are some practical points to help you.
Connect with others — we are not islands. Living in isolation and autonomy has a negative impact on our mental health. We need connection with others. We need community connections. This can be accomplished in many ways, including leisure activities, hobbies, and eating together. It should start with those closest to us, family and friends. Don't let yourself get so busy that you don't have time to connect with others.
Cultivating spirituality–this can also be said to be connected to the connection part. As a practicing clinician, I have observed that people who have an active (practical) spiritual belief system are able to more effectively cope with challenges and conflicts that come to treatment. This can unfold in a variety of ways, starting with prayer, meditation, and connecting with others in your spiritual community.
Practice healthy self-care — Simply put, self-care means taking time to cultivate your physical and mental health. This also leads to mental health. It starts with establishing healthy self-care habits in the areas of diet, exercise, and sleep. Establish new habits that will help you manage stress, reduce your risk of illness, and boost your energy. Even small acts of self-care in daily life can have a big impact on our mental mood.
Finding balance — I often talk about this at the beginning of treatment with my clients. I emphasize the importance of establishing a work-life balance. This starts with establishing daily and weekly routines that cover all aspects of your life: spiritual, family, career, physical, social, and leisure time. Start by adjusting the areas you think need improvement and move on from there.
Finally, I can't help but think of what I often say when clients come to me feeling overwhelmed with everything that's going wrong in their lives. Progress begins with baby steps. Start by identifying areas where you are lacking. Start by eliminating habits that don't serve you and replace them with healthier habits that will help you achieve and move forward with your goals of becoming healthier and happier. Progress and improvement starts with starting with where you are. Find someone to hold you accountable, such as a family member, friend, clergy member, or mental health professional. You have to start somewhere, and what better time than now? My hope is that you can make the necessary improvements to move forward in your mental health journey.
Kamala Marsh is a licensed professional counselor from Michigan and an award-winning artist from East Lansing who currently resides in Alpena and combines her talents in art and healing to reach the world one person at a time. Masu. Contact her at esimorp@att.net.
