05/09/2023
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Though as a Licensed Professional Counselor I appreciate the focus on mental health in May, I believe we should be actively pursuing a healthy mental space daily. Finding resources to support differing mental health needs can become overwhelming. Feeling fearful of unknown ramifications when reaching out can scary. Breaking the stigma of mental health struggles should be on everyone’s daily agenda; not just for oneself, but for those you love as well.
The first step in seeking out help is always the hardest. The stages of change one must go through as defined by James Prochaska to find a level of contentment can take a long time to traverse. It may test the patience of those that love us as well as ourselves.
During the precontemplative stage of change you will most likely find yourself googling key phrases looking for resources that fit your needs. Even if you find resources, you will most likely not act on the information. Upon becoming contemplative, you may actually follow the links on google just a little bit further and find even more information, however you will still choose to keep that information to yourself and not act upon it. One day you will find yourself writing down a list of the resources to which you might want to reach out or telling your spouse about what you have learned. As you move through the preparation stage of change, you may begin to feel hopeful again.
Then you pick up the phone and make the call to one of the resources you found. You are now in the action stage of change. This is the hardest stage as you face your fears, anxieties, the great unknowns, and further test the patience of those you love. But the hard work will pay off. And you will move into the maintenance stage of change. This will be a fluid stage as you may find yourself returning to old behaviors from time to time. A reminder of all the work you did in the previous stages, and brushing off those coping skills learned will push you solidly back into maintenance.
Mental health is both a mental and physiological health issue as they are intertwined. Understanding the stages of change that must be traveled to find contentment with yourself helps keep you on track to recovery. Educating those who support you and advocating for the reduction of stigma will help everyone see the benefits of seeking out help.
Sharlene Hamilton, LPC, NCC, CCMHC
Cardinal Family Counseling, PLLC
Director-at-Large, Vigilant Torch
