Inspiration Around Mental Health
Therapy and CBT
Mental Health is a topic that has always been near and dear to my heart for many reasons. My mother, a Ph.D. in preventive medicine, spent a good chunk of her career working in the mental health field. I worked as a psychiatric technician for a short stint and initially wanted to study Music Therapy. I found a deep reprieve in journaling, counseling, talk therapy, and personal development early on. I also had an odd teenage interest in self-help books (now referred to as personal development). My big emotions and creative passions drove me to learn about feelings, the brain, the relationships between thoughts and emotions, and the impact of self-worth. It's no surprise that I now run a wellness business that includes the desire to move past the baggage of our early experiences, let go of "diets" and the physical and cognitive impact it has on our overall health and wellness and shift into long term behavioral change.
With the exposure to such awareness, combined with years working in education and my current work, I knew the "follow up" epidemic to the 2020 Pandemic (among other societal crises) would ultimately be a surge in the mental health crisis. It would be dismissive to think such a massive impact wouldn't result in any mental health concerns and widespread issues.
When it comes to the programming of Warrior Forward Wellness, Cognitive Behavioral Fitness Methods are not only about losing weight and working out. Instead, they focus on working around behavioral change through cognitive and emotional responses to situations (triggers) based on our thoughts and feelings. It's about feeling functional, balanced, and at peace both inside and out. It's about healing and developing thought processes and behaviors to live a life of joy and balance with long-term sustainability, despite the reality of unexpected or stressful circumstances. It is about learning to move beyond grief, trauma, and years of unhelpful thoughts by fueling and loving your body through helpful and valid thoughts and actions.
So how do we recognize we need some support? When do we reach out for help? What do we do? And more importantly, how do we remove the stigma of such a need that we can ask for it?
There is no perfect answer to these questions since they may be different for everyone individually. However, below are some beginning steps anyone can use.
How do you recognize you need support? Do you feel like your moods and behaviors are "out of character" too often for too long? Do you feel like you're treading water to stay afloat and struggling to make progress in any or all areas of your life? Do you find your behaviors are emotionally or mentally driven (eating, drinking, sleeping, and exercising too little or too much are some examples)? For example, CBT Fitness coaching uses a strategy called a "Thought Record Sheet" to take a situation that feels defeating, hurtful, overwhelming, and negative and look at it through a guided series of questions to reframe your thoughts and behaviors in the future. This is not something I would encourage one to do alone as it requires some guidance.
However, I bring it up to encourage you to reflect on any opposing thoughts or triggering situations. If you feel these sensations, moods, or thoughts regularly, it may be a sign you need some support.
So what do you do now? There are several helpful options for this, depending on your situation and circumstances. There's wellness coaching, counseling, support groups (online and in-person), Pastors, a supportive friend, a community group, hotlines (many of which are free), and even your PCP can help direct you.
Any ethical and professional coach or therapist will be able to support and guide you in the right direction based on their scope of practice. The important thing here is you reach out to someone. You are loved, supported, and have a purpose.
2. How can you remove the stigma of asking for help? This can be one of the most challenging parts of mental health support and awareness. We must intentionally continue to talk, teach, and advocate for mental health awareness and support programs. Additionally, it is crucial to shift the shame of setbacks into moments of growth and reflection. No one likes feeling as if they failed. If you have been in treatment or recovery and suffered a setback, it is hard (yet critical) to openly acknowledge it so support, healing, and growth can take place. Removing the shame and guilt of such seasons and encouraging the act of continued recovery is vital to the overall acceptance and support of mental health awareness. On a personal note, you can also take steps as individuals to help remove the stigma and fear behind asking for help. Positive affirmations or encouraging sentences are a valuable and quick tool for everyday reminders. For example, write on your mirror in expo marker: "It's ok to ask for help." Every day you see your reflection along with this statement, and it will help remind and encourage you to engage in support. Make a list of 3 people/resources you feel safe reaching out to. This can include a Dr., friend, pastor, therapist, coach, accountability partner, support group, or even a toll-free/online service center (provided below). Whatever you can do to consistently and constantly remind yourself that you are not alone, you are loved, you are supported, and you can and should ask for help is a step forward.
The important thing here is to proactively get the support and help you want and need. You are loved. You matter. You are ENOUGH.
IT’S TIME YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH WORTH ON PURPOSE.
Your story will one day be what inspires someone else.
Here is a list of resources, discussions, and support programs to help you get started:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text: HOME to 741741
Affordable Online Counseling: www.betterhelp.com
Support Group Finder: www.supportgroups.com
