May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Its purpose is to try to help us understand that mental health issues affect all of us and to try to remove some of the stigma connected with being treated for a mental health condition.
Many of us struggle on a daily basis with mental illness, but sooner or later almost everyone will experience times of overpowering depression, anxiety, or sadness. That’s normal. Life events can be overwhelming, sometimes to the point of destroying our joy in life and leaving us drained and emotionally stuck. There should be no shame in seeking help and guidance when our mental health is compromised. It should be just as important to feel good mentally as it is to feel good physically. We know that what we feel affects how we think and what we think affects how we feel. When our thoughts get focused on negative circumstances, it’s difficult to move forward with any joy in life.
It can help to remember that mental health is part of overall health. Just like a body may need rest after being sick or injured, a mind may need care after stress, grief, or a hard season. Some days may be heavier than others. On those days, small steps can matter. Getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating a meal, or calling one trusted person can be a good start. Healing does not always happen all at once.
Sometimes the only possible response to what we are experiencing is a negative one, like when you lose someone important to you, when you find yourself so lonely you don’t know what to do, or you fail at something important. During those times, it’s natural to feel down. We may forget that we aren’t perfect, and we don’t have to be. We need time to allow ourselves to experience our negative feelings so we can accept, process, and move on. Problems arise when that period of feeling down doesn’t stop but feels endless. Then we may need help to find our stride again and get back to feeling normal.
Giving yourself permission to feel your feelings can be part of healing too. You do not have to rush past grief, disappointment, or fear. But if the sadness, worry, or numbness keeps you from daily life for a long time, that is a sign to reach out. You may notice that things you once handled feel much harder. You may pull away from people, lose interest in things you used to enjoy, or feel tired all the time. Those are reasons to talk with someone and ask for support.
There are many things you can do to begin the journey to healing. The bigger problem may be finding the energy to start. It takes courage to take that first step. “Talk therapy” has been shown to be helpful. Learning mindfulness techniques or other stress reduction methods can also be a part of healing but sometimes more is needed. Discussing your issues with a professional can help you gain insight and balance again.
If you are not sure where to begin, try starting with one small action:
- Write down what you have been feeling.
- Make a list of the things that seem to make it worse.
- Make a list of the things that help, even a little.
- Ask a doctor, counselor, faith leader, or trusted friend for a referral.
- Set one appointment instead of trying to solve everything at once.
Mindfulness does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sitting quietly for a few minutes and paying attention to your breathing. It can also mean noticing five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. A short walk, a few stretches, steady sleep habits, and regular meals can also support better mental health. These steps do not fix everything, but they can make hard days more manageable.
It can also help to reduce pressure when possible. That may mean saying no to one extra task, asking for help with a chore, or taking a break from news or social media when it feels like too much. Keep in touch with people who are safe and kind. Even a short text or phone call can remind you that you are not alone.
There are many resources available for helping you cope with mental health issues. Disability Network Lakeshore is here to connect you to the resources you need to make it through the hard times. Our services are free. Call us at 616-396-5326.
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Whether you're an individual or a company, searching for disability resources is discouraging and frustrating. And when you don't have the right tools, individuals and communities suffer. Wouldn't you like to live in an inclusive community where everyone can participate, contribute, and belong?
Mental health care should also be accessible. That means clear information, respectful support, and places where people are treated with dignity. For people with disabilities, it can be even harder to get help when there are barriers in the way. Transportation, cost, confusing systems, and limited access can make a hard situation harder. That is why support and plain information matter.
The right resources are hard to find. We get it.
We understand how it feels to struggle to fully participate in an inaccessible community, which is why we help people find and use disability resources.
Sometimes the first barrier is not knowing where to start. Sometimes it is not knowing what to ask for. We can help with that. Whether you need information, referrals, or help thinking through your next step, DNL is here to support you. We work with people in Ottawa and Allegan counties, Michigan, and we can help connect you to services that fit your needs.
It can be helpful to prepare before you make a call for help. You might want to write down:
- What you are feeling
- How long it has been going on
- What makes it harder
- What has helped before
- Any questions you want to ask
If talking feels hard, you can bring notes. You can also ask a trusted person to help you make the call or sit with you while you do it. Taking support with you is not a weakness. It is a smart way to make the process easier.
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