You’re hearing the term ‘mental health’ a lot these days. Everywhere we turn there is something about it. Especially this week with the #BellLetsTalk campaign. How do we really know what we’re to do about it (mental health)? How do we cut through all the noise? In a world that just keeps getting busier – how do we truly make the time? How does this pertain to the workplace? How do we incorporate mental health priorities at work? HELP!
First of all, let’s define mental health – it includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. (cdc.gov)
Now enter the other most used phrase – mental illness. Often these two terms are used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. (psychiatry.org).
I want to get real with you for a moment. My own struggle with mental health was put to the test during the pandemic and it truly took a toll on all areas of my life. I gained weight, I felt many periods of hopelessness/fear/worry/ungroundedness/disconnection, my relationships suffered, and more. As much as I had many resources in my “wellness tool box,” it still affected me emotionally, mentally and physically.
I had to work hard internally so I could feel good externally (which still is a work in progress and offers more room for reflection, intention, boundaries, and healing work). It may take some time to start feeling better, when you see or feel an improvement or you feel like you are back in the driver’s seat of your life.
Sooooooooo, what do we do in the meantime?
- Ask for help
- Open up to a friend/family member/professional
- Journal
- Physical activity
- Watch/listen to/read helpful motivational information,
- Team up with an account-abili-BUDDY (that’s where I come in)!!!!
As I said earlier, on top of me sharing some of my story this week…we are hearing the stories being shared for #bellletstalk and more we are seeing the push for the stigma surrounding mental health to shift. There’s a great initiative being done in Canada called www.NotMyselfToday.ca.
Where Key Instincts can support you and/or your company is by bringing in programs, solutions, ideas, workshops, and practices that help you manage your mental health – again that being your overall psychological well-being. Along with physical health! (Please note I am not a psychologist, I am a health coach – but if you or someone on your team requires additional help, we can direct you to further resources available)
First step – take our individual health assessment. (Don’t worry it’s not as scary as that sounds) It’s 40 questions about 8 minutes of your time and it gives us a great place to start our conversation. Click here.
Second step – let’s have a Wellness Discovery Meeting – online or in-person to go over your assessment.
Third Step – Put our plan into action. Maybe it’s time to ignite an account-abili-BUDDY!
There are a variety of options available with Key Instincts. This is something we can chat more about – what fits you personally or for your team, your time, your budget. But I can tell you, the clients we have been working with are experiencing a great return on investment. They are seeing higher employee retention rates at their workplace, more productivity from the staff, better company culture and honestly some have said there have been fewer sick days taken.
Sounds pretty awesome, but maybe I am a little bit biased 😉
