With warmer spring weather and the promise of summer yet to come, May is the perfect month to renew our focus on mental health. Mental Health America (MHA) joins the celebration this year with a new theme (Look Around, Look Within) encouraging us to consider the effects our unique environment—the places we live, work, play, and congregate—have on our mental health.
Look Around
MHA suggests we pause for a moment and consider where we live. Is it safe? Is there access to grocery stores and mental health care? It can be challenging to find a neighborhood with secure and stable housing, but it is key to feeling protected and in control of your space. Keeping your home sleep-friendly, well-ventilated, and clean also contributes to maintaining good mental health. Additionally, knowing your neighbors and participating in local community events can alleviate anxiety and replace it with a sense of belonging and joy in creating mutual supportive spaces that promote neighborhood bonds.
Lots of research now supports the role of nature in uplifting our mental health as well. Take a picnic to your neighborhood park or take a walk in the woods or desert early in the morning. Sit outside and listen to the morning birdsong with your eyes closed. Do what you can to let natural light into your living space to help you embrace the day. Get away from the city lights and do some stargazing at night to remind yourself about the connections we have with the universe and your role in it, however small.
Look Within
If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. You can take a free, private screening at mhascreening.org to understand what might be going on with your mental health and determine what your next steps should be. Click here to view or download some useful worksheets and other resources to help take stock of your physical and mental environments.
You are welcome to contact the VSRC at 702-455-2433 and ask to speak to Ron Kenan, our wonderful Mental Health Navigator, who can help you assess your options and find a professional who can help, whether it be in a support group, private therapy, or integrative services. Check our Calendar section of this website to see the current array of services and try something new, like music therapy or Trauma Recovery Yoga. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it may be exactly what you need to jump start your mental health.
Reach Out When Needed
If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, don’t hesitate to call 988 and talk to someone who can guide you to the best resource to alleviate the suffering.
Remember that mental health challenges are normal and common among those who have experienced a traumatic event. Seeking help is a positive and healthy response to these challenges. The VSRC staff are ready and eager to help.