People often don’t get the help they need because they don’t know where to start. As we navigate everyday life and life’s challenges, how are you coping? It is important that you find ways to take care of yourself. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Can you find time in your day or week to do one or more of these activities?
1.Turn off your phone and do something calming to your nervous system: take a walk, bathe/shower, call a friend, play with your dog, or do a guided meditation.
2.Carve out some time to enjoy your hobbies, let yourself be present in the moment and really enjoy it.
3.Spend some time journaling or drawing about your feelings, make art or just keep it casual.
According to USNews (2022), in Wayne County, Georgia, an estimated 19.4% of Wayne County adults reporting frequent mental distress. This was higher than the Georgia average, 16.1%, and the national average, 15.8%. Frequent mental distress is measured by the percentage of adults who reported that their mental health was not good or poor for 14 or more days during the past 30 days. It is vital to know where you can get support at any time if you need it.
If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911. If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24/7. Your call will be confidential and toll- free. You can also find treatment with SAMHSA’s behavioral health treatment services locator, https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov. This is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the US for substance use/addiction and/or mental health related problems. Anchored is also available to assist, offering behavioral health services including mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment.
The Wayne County Recovery Coalition (WCRC), Anchored, and Share Health Southeast Georgia wish you a healthy and happy new year! For more information about WCRC, visit our website at https://waynecountyrecovery.com/ or contact our Project Coordinator, Renee Bolin, at reneebolin@waynecountyrecovery.com.