This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we cope with stress, make healthy choices, and relate to others.
May is Mental Health month, and now more than ever, an important time to focus on this vital aspect of well-being. Balanced You is here to support employees and their loved ones in taking care of your mental health. During the month of May, Balanced You will focus communications on mental health tips and resources.
In the event that you are seeking additional support, there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency.
Adapting after trauma and stress
For week one of Mental Health month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “Adapting after trauma and stress.” Everyone faces adversity in their life at one point or another. Trauma is an emotional response to a stressful event and can have a huge impact your mental health. Working towards healing and building resiliency can help you feel more at ease.
For tips on healing after stress, we encourage you to look at the Adapting After Trauma and Stress fact sheet and download the Processing Trauma and Stress workbook. These tools were developed by Mental Health America and provide you with an activity template to process your emotions, destress and care for yourself.
Online mental health assessment
It’s important to remember that working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis. A great starting point for anyone who is ready to start prioritizing their mental health is to take a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and confidential way for someone to assess their mental health and begin finding hope and healing.
More mental health resources
If you are ready to connect with a Mental Health care provider, visit the How to find a mental health care provider blog post.
For a comprehensive list of your mental health benefits, download the King County Mental Health Benefits and Resources guide.
For questions, more information or suggestions, contact BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov
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