Mental Relief

Resource Reference Sheet: Needing Healp General Mental Health National Institute Of Mental Health - https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml Mental Health Services Division https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/MentalHealthPrograms-Svcs.aspx World Health Organization | Mental Health https://www.who.int/mental_health/en Church Of Jesus Christ.org | Mental Health https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/mental-health If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK or text “MHA” to 741741 - https://www.mhanational.org/helpful-vs-harmful-ways-manage-emotions Mental Health America - https://www.mhanational.org MentalHealth.gov - https://mhanational.org/covid19 NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | Helpline Resources - https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/NAMI-HelpLine/Top-HelpLine-Resources Mental Health Resources - Mental Health First Aid - https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources Psychiatry.org - COVID-19/Coronavirus Resources - https://www.psychia...

Managing And Preventing Depression During High-Stress Times "It's so difficult to describe [depression] to someone who's never been there because it's not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness is to cry and to feel. But it's that cold absence of feeling—that really hollowed-out feeling.” - J.K. Rowling Have you ever felt that way? Under normal circumstances, those who are struggling with depression might face this frustrating reality every day for long periods of time. But our current circumstances are anything but normal. Is there any hope of managing or preventing depression while facing a global pandemic, the resulting economic challenges, and political unrest? The short answer is YES. There are many tools to help you manage your depression. We've included a few strategies that you can do on your own. Quick Tip: Finding the right tools for you might involve some trial and error, so don't forget to be patient with yourself. Depression - What is it? Wh...

Manage Today’s Uncertainty By Staying in the Present We all face seasons of life filled with uncertainty. It’s a feeling of being unsure or having doubt regarding a specific situation or set of circumstances. While not inherently bad, when times of uncertainty are prolonged and go unmanaged, they can send us into a downward spiral very quickly. Thus, it is important to find ways to manage uncertainty and a great way to go about that process is by making a conscious choice to stay in the present. Enhanced Awareness One thing uncertainty does is cause us to focus on the unknown. We begin to develop fears and it can even lead to paranoia if we allow it to go on for a prolonged period of time. One benefit of staying in the present is enhanced awareness. This awareness can be critical in quickly identifying the root of any uncertainty you might be feeling so you can address it promptly before it mounts into anything more substantial. When you can figure out what situations or circums...

Living With Constant Worry: What Positive Actions You Can Take When was the last time you had a free moment to simply breathe? If it’s been a long time and you’re riddled with worry and racing thoughts, then you might be experiencing some anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 18 million Americans experience anxiety in any given year. The good news is that there are some positive actions that you can take to relieve the intensity of the constant worry. Practice Meditation or Deep Breathing Some of the more popular methods for treating anxiety are categorized as mindfulness. This is any relaxation technique designed to bring you back to the present moment and become aware of what you’re thinking and feeling. This can be monumental for anxiety in particular, as most of your worries are probably centered around the future. Many people who practice mindfulness do so via meditation or deep breathing sessions. By focusing on counting your breaths and ...

How To Protect Yourself From Substance Abuse During These Times Of Crisis There’s not a single person in America that hasn’t been impacted by the current pandemic and resulting quarantine in some way. These past several months have been characterized by loneliness, boredom, stress, and anxiety. That’s why many Americans have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the crisis and simply pass the time. Protecting yourself from substance abuse during these times of crisis is extremely important. Dump the Alcohol Alcohol sales have skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic. In research compiled by Nielsen, alcohol sales have been up 21% at liquor stores and 234% via online retailers. While drinking alcohol is less dangerous when done in moderation, there is a concern if you struggle with addiction or self-control. Access to alcohol in your home combined with boredom and cravings may lead you to drink in excess. At least until the pandemic is over and things are back to normal, it’s...

How Professional Help Can Help You Maintain Mental and Emotional Health During Uncertain Times Back in 2004, the American Psychological Association found that nearly 60 million people had visited a mental health professional in the previous two years. Thankfully, the negative stigma associated with getting professional help is no longer as significant in America. There are plenty of benefits of working with a counselor during uncertain times to aid your mental health. Honestly Expressing Yourself You might have dozens of close friends and a huge family that you could vent your feelings to at the drop of a hat. However, there are certain areas of your life that you might be uncomfortable sharing with those closest to you. For example, you might not want your mother to worry about your anxiety or to discuss your feelings of hopelessness with your best friend. One of the best parts about working with a therapist is that they’re not in your circle and essentially a stranger. Finding Approp...

How Mindfulness Can Promote Mental Health During Times of Fear and Uncertainty Mindfulness is a practice that emphasizes awareness of thoughts, feelings, sensations as a means of gaining more insight, increasing attention, improving concentration, and enhancing self- control, among many other benefits. The ultimate idea being that via mindfulness producing improvements in these areas, positive changes can be made to influence our attitudes and behaviors for the better. When it comes to situations and stimuli that can trigger fear and uncertainty, mindfulness can be a powerful tool in one’s arsenal to combat it. There are several specific ways mindfulness can promote mental health during times of fear and uncertainty, ultimately promoting overall wellness too. Reduced Stress Research shows that regularly practicing mindfulness can reduce stress. Since increased stress is an effect of both short-term and long-term exposure to fear, reduction of stress is a valuable benefit. A 2010 ...

How Hope Helps Keep You Mentally Sane During Times Of Fear And Uncertainty In current times, life is full of fear and uncertainty. You may not know when things will get back to normal, whether you’ll get your job back when businesses start opening back up, or if you’ll stay healthy for the remainder of the year. It can be very easy to lose hope, but that’s perhaps the most important thing that you can hold onto during this crisis. So, let’s talk about why that is. The Belief that Things Will Get Better After so many months in lockdown during this pandemic, it’s easy to believe that things will simply never get better. You may assume that, if things were going to get better, they would’ve by now. By holding onto hope, you can hold onto the belief that things will get better in time. Think about the worst thing that’s ever happened in your life that you thought you’d never survive. You did survive and now you know that even the most traumatic events in your life will turn around eventua...