Mental Health Month is celebrated in May of each year. Due to the profound impacts of the COVID pandemic, the national conversation around mental health is normalizing. This year, Mental Health America has focused Mental Health Month on “Back to Basics,” helping re-center us on what mental health is, how we can support our mental health, and what resources are available to help.
What is mental health?
Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. Everyone has mental health, and it deserves your attention just as much as your physical health does.
How can we support out mental health?
Taking care of yourself is critical to managing mental health. Factors like nutrition and gut health, stress, sleep, relationships, trauma, and more can contribute to good or poor mental health. If your mental health is in a good spot, it is a great time to practice coping skills – ways to help you handle hard feelings – so that you’re better able to handle tough times when they happen.
Mental health is unique to each of us. Taking time to set boundaries and develop routines that help improve your mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being.
- Check out Balanced You’s mindfulness programming for workshops that teach coping skills such as Mindfulness for Anxiety, Mindful Parenting, and Emotional Resilience.
- Sign up for Balanced You’s Mental Health Month webinar to hear professionals discuss strategies and resources for supporting mental health.
What professional resources are available to help?
In the United States, over 21% of adults live with a mental health condition, and 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some time in their life. The prevalence of mental health conditions is highest among adults reporting two or more races. If you are concerned about your mental health, or just want to check in with a professional, you have options.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP supports employees by providing free, confidential counseling on work-related issues. To learn more about EAP, click here.
- Mental Health Providers: Employees covered by King County insurance have access to comprehensive mental health care. Click here to learn how to find a mental health care provider for you or your beneficiaries.
More resources
For an overview of mental health resources for King County employees, including BIPOC employees, people in recovery, people facing layoff, check out this Balanced You blogpost.
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