May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Family & Children’s Services (FCS) joins other organizations to raise awareness and reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) that surrounds mental illnesses. The stigma around mental health and treatment has long existed, even though this has started to change. Still, people hesitate to seek help or even talk about it with their loved ones for fear of being judged and facing unnecessary backlash. Simple logic dictates that if we are hurt anywhere, we must seek treatment to get better. This applies to both our mental and physical well-being. Our hope is to change the way our communities view mental health and serve as a resource.

This year, our focus is “Mental Health Matters,” and throughout the month, we will be focusing on different topics and resources. Mental health is the lens through which we all see the world around us. It’s what guides our personal reality, and as a result, it guides how we initiate activities and respond to outside stimuli. When we are affected by mental challenges or illness, our proactive behavior as well as our reactive behavior can be impacted. Sometimes these impacted behaviors are readily apparent to others; at other times, they can be subtle, hidden from others and perhaps even from ourselves.

We hope that during this month, you will recognize that taking care of your mental health is vital, mental illnesses are real, it’s okay to ask for help and recovery is possible. You CAN find a balance between life’s ups and downs, happiness and health. For assistance, contact us at 918.587.9471.

Navigating Mental Health

What are you feeling?

Mental health is the lens through which we all see the world around us. It’s what guides our personal reality, and as a result, it guides how we initiate activities and respond to outside stimuli. When we are affected by mental challenges or illness, our proactive behavior as well as our reactive behavior can be impacted. Sometimes these impacted behaviors are readily apparent to others; other times, they can be subtle, hidden from others and perhaps even from ourselves.

Mental disorders can be caused by internal factors, such as biological makeup, or external forces, such as life experiences – or sometimes both. Mental health is nuanced, and sometimes individuals can be fooled by their own mental health conditions, making detection particularly challenging. To help in identifying mental health challenges, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) [link] has identified several early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness:

  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Pulling away from people and usual activities
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
  • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  • Yelling or fighting with family and friends
  • Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
  • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others
  • Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

If you have identified any of these signs in your own life or in the life of a loved one, it may be time to consider some assistance, as dealing with mental illness can be a daunting task. There are, however, some simple actions you can take to begin dealing with mental challenges you may be experiencing personally or that a loved one may be experiencing.

Take the First Step

Mental health management can sometimes seem overwhelming, and taking the first step toward mental wellness can be the most intimidating aspect of managing mental health. While it’s an important realization, recognizing that a “first step” needs to be taken can, ironically, exacerbate a mental health challenge. The pressure of knowing that something needs to be done, but not knowing what to do, can cause increased anxiety, potentially making the condition even worse.

If you find yourself temporarily immobilized and unable to take that first step, lean on an advocate for support. That advocate may be a close friend or family member or a loved one whom you trust.

If you are isolated, you may find advocacy in others who have dedicated themselves to providing support to those in need. If you are in crisis, resources exist to meet you where you’re at. Such resources may include the COPES/Crisis Hotline (918-744-4800). Or, if you are struggling but are not necessarily experiencing a crisis, you may find solace in working with a representative from Family & Children’s Services (F&CS). Counselors at F&CS can help you take that first step toward improving your own mental health through outpatient mental health services, individual therapy, maternal mental health, or substance abuse and addiction services.

Initiate the Conversation

If it is a loved one who needs help, don’t be afraid to initiate a conversation with him or her. A timely, “What’s up?” or “How are you doing?” may be the opening your loved one needs. Family & Children’s Services can help you with discussion starters, and we are always ready to provide assistance to you or your loved ones who are looking for support. Just give us a call at 918.587.9471.