It’s spring, a season of rebirth and rejuvenation, and I hope you’re able to enjoy the resilient powers of nature bursting forth all around us…yet there are those who feel trapped and unable to find the joy in these beautiful signs of renewal everywhere.
May is Mental Health Month, and I worry that we too often think of mental health as referring only to someone else’s problems…namely those diagnosed with clinical depression, schizophrenia or some other condition. Yes, we should heighten awareness of these issues and be attendant to the needs of those who are grappling with them – Mental Health Month serves as a good reminder for us.
But I worry that we often fail to direct our attention within and recognize our own feelings and needs. Many of us have been programmed to think that we must soldier on and not ask for help. Yes, Mental Health Month is the perfect time to offer help — but it should also be a reminder that sometimes we must ask for and accept help ourselves.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” So perhaps you aren’t diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, but maybe you find yourself struggling through a particularly hard set of circumstances and don’t have a support system in place to help you get on an even keel.
This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health. Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?
Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor, the more you are likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer.
While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.
- Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.
- Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.
- Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighborshelping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.
- Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.
If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. Take a free, private screening on the Mental Health America website at mhascreening.org to help you figure out what is going on and determine next steps.
The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Learn more with Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit, which provides free, practical resources, such as how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.