May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

First and foremost, here are some resources for those seeking help for themselves or others:

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help

  • Emergency Medical Services—911
    • If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat
    • If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
  • SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)
    • Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Mental Health or Mental Illness has become a hot topic in the recent years. Due to many events that have drastically effected the nation, we are glad to see the progress mental health developments have been making and the seriousness and openness that has arisen when talking about the subject. Still, there is always more work to do, especially because it is more common than you think. “Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (46.6 million in 2017)”

For more statistics on mental health in the US visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml

Mental Health in recent times has become even more prevalent. Many have been displaced from their jobs and supports have been hard to come by because of the inability for in person communication.

Still, we are not alone. Though it may feel this way, being isolated in an apartment or house by yourself, people have been taking strides to provide resources to those in need.

Here are a few ways to check up on your mental health and of those you care about:

  • Facetime, skype or zoom them
      • It is way easier to hide your true feelings when you only need to control the tone of your voice. Hiding body language is more difficult. Facetime, skype, zoom ect allows you to have virtual face to face conversation and may prompt a more honest communication
      • You are also able to see their setting. Some mental health illnesses are harder to see. Sometimes clues to mental health can be seen in someone’s surroundings like sudden changes to cleanliness or self-care.
      • Ask meaningful questions
          • Instead of only asking what have they been up to, ask what has changed for them and why they think it has changed. Digging for positive answers is an easier conversation to have but allowing someone to express their negative feelings is important. Following up with a why, or how question is always helpful to understanding.
          • Understand that when they answer or express their problem they are looking to be listened to, not necessarily have their problem solved.
  • Create or source a check list
      • Check lists for evaluating your day are a great way to make sure you are staying on top of your own mental health. Here are some points that are important to keep in mind when devising your list.
          • Move your body (daily)
          • Sleep 7-9 hours
          • Connect with friends and family (weekly)
          • Get outdoors (weekly)
          • Pick a daily win and a weekly win that you feel proud of
          • Finish a book (monthly)
          • Take a 1 day technology break (weekly or monthly)
          • Help someone else achieve or make something (virtually of course)
      • Many checklists can be found online if you are struggling to make your own or need ideas!
  • Think about what you wish others would do for you, and do it for them.
      • Sometimes it is easier to wait for others to contact you but taking initiative will help both their mental health and your own.
  • Listen to your gut
      • If someone you care about doesn’t seem to be sitting right in your mind, do something about it. Your gut feeling in this case is something better to act on than to wait. Use the resources above to get a friend or family member the help they need.

Here at Moore Staffing we believe in the strength of community and will always be here to offer a hand where we can. If your employment is in question or you are looking for a new path, our service to candidates is always free. We urge you to share this information with anyone who may need assistance. We can be reached at team@moorestaffing.com or on our website www.moorestaffing.com.