Many people are concerned about the topic of mental health, and it can be difficult to understand the truth of this complex subject. It’s easy to gloss over the realities of mental health challenges, and can be confusing to get to the the heart what mental and emotional wellness actually involves. As a mental health professional, I’d like to bring meaning and clarity to this discussion. It is my life’s calling to guide people to greater mental health, which like good physical health, requires effort and maintenance! (think getting your cars oil changed or keeping up your manicure as an example). Just like knowing the telltale signs of a heart attack can guide us to seek help, knowing what mental health looks like can help when you, or a loved one, needs a little guidance or a big tune up.
Our thoughts, feelings, emotions and expectations of ourselves or others, sometimes don’t match up with the reality of what is actually happening in our lives. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as stressful life passages (global pandemics, divorce, death of a loved one, loss of a job, physical illness, birth of a child, children leaving home, etc). Our thought formations can also lead to mental discomfort, in the form of of negative or distorted thinking. This might look like a looping or stuck pattern of anger, frustration or sadness, usually related to a specific person or a particular situation. Or, we may have developed habits and behaviors that are more harmful than helpful, such as excessive consumption, abusing substances, or other addictive or avoidant behaviors. Sometimes there may be a chemical or biological imbalance, which can bring on debilitating depression, anxiety, mood swings, unhealthy thoughts of self harm, disrupt our sleep, or other symptoms. When our ability to participate in our own lives is hampered because of our thoughts, feelings, emotions or behaviors, this is a sign that our mental health needs tending to.
There are many options and avenues for improving and maintaining our mental wellness. The actions we choose may depend on our preferences, personal situations, or how much of our life is disrupted by our mental state. There are various approaches and strategies that can make a huge difference in how we think and feel, and will significantly improve the quality of our relationships and our lives. The guidance of a mental health professional can help you sift through what mental health menu options are optimal for you. However, it is up to each of us to make the personal choice to live our best lives, hopefully sooner rather than later.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in discussing mental health. I invite you into a window of my own mental health journey with my daughter Courtney, here on this page. Or dive deeper into all aspects of mental health and wellness by joining our private FB community group. Courtney and I have walked a long and difficult road together, and have come out the other side~happier and healthier than ever. We write about this, sharing our deepest truths and what really works for lasting mental health and wellness in our upcoming book, The KrazyGirls Survival Guide. As we say, “We’re all a little Krazy, it’s what we do with our Krazy that counts”. That’s Krazy with a K, because we’re blazing the trail together from Krazy to KrazyEmpowered! Let us show you how to achieve sustainable mental health, and the full and joyful life we all deserve. Please join us!
Xxoo Marci Wolff Ober, LMFT and Courtney Ober