We all strive to live a full and healthy life. No one plans for the struggles, no one enjoys having ill-mental health.
While my own personal journey started at a very young age on the extreme end of mental health, the older I get the more I understand the huge range in people dealing with mental health struggles; this includes people my age and older. I speak at corporate conferences and events around the world and I couldn’t count the number of times I have had people tell me how much they have been struggling in the last couple of years. Sometimes, it has been rooted in a recent and unseen trauma. Others say they have just gradually felt like something is off. Today, I am not talking about the crisis point. I am talking to the people who may be at the starting point. The phrase ‘early intervention’, is commonly used so today I want to break down what it can look like. Specifically, the techniques you can use in the early stages, to hopefully prevent you from getting to a point of severe mental health struggles.
1. Talk to a family member or close friend. I know that we hear about this all time, it is one of the most common phrases around mental health, but it can actually be harder than we anticipate. Going back and forth in our heads with “I mean it’s not THAT bad is it? So I don’t need to tell anyone yet because it will just waste their time” is so common. Bottling it up is actually a huge factor in leading people to wait until they hit crisis point before reaching out. Do it early, talk to your mates now.
2. Talk to a Mental Health Professional. There are many reasons why people don’t want to. Sometimes it is fear, other times it is not being able to find the time - or funds to afford it. I recently posted about Accuro Health Insurance and their new mental health navigator. I don’t endorse brands that I don’t believe in, and the reason that I wanted to share this company is because it has been a vital part missing in the market. When it comes to health insurance, there isn’t anyone who covers mental health. AND, mental health conditions can often prevent you from getting life insurance which adds more stress to people. I have seen this first hand and have had so many messages from people about it - Those who have struggled previously with mental health but are doing well now still can’t get insurance. Also leaving their families with that struggle. Accuro ensure that if you need mental health support, you will get to see a mental health professional within 14 days (skipping the otherwise daunting waitlists or expensive professional services). Talking to a psychologist helped me get the tools I needed, to be able to really fight through.
3. Get out and get active. I think we underestimate the positive effect that being out in nature has on our mental health. Being able to get out of the house, the office and taking time to stop, breathe and just have fun is so important! It seems like a small thing, but it has such a big effect on our mental health. That’s why now, I try to go out on adventures as much as I can. I go for walks with friends in the park, I go catch a sunset at the beach and head out for exercise outside Even if it is only once a week, it does a world of good!
Just because you are not in crisis, does not mean your struggles are invalid.
You don’t have to wait to start taking steps towards living a healthier, fuller life.
Jazz x