For those who were able to celebrate Mother’s Day yesterday with both your living and heavenly Mothers, I pray that your mental health awareness is intact.
I know from experience that the grieving process is different for many people.
I still have my days, too, as I find days when I think about my mother.
Many of you are probably unaware of the Green Ribbons being worn this month.
“Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will experience a diagnosable mental health condition this year?”
Where to Start 2024 MHA May Toolkit (mhanational.org)
Knowing that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I am vested in 51 documented credits toward clinical mental health.
Therefore, I continue to stay up to date with understanding the challenges of mental health.
I know the effects mental health can bring, as I’ve seen family members who have Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
This month, I wrote in my journal about the care given to my Brother-in-Law as various Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) take care of him.
Ironically, this past week was also National Nurses Week, which ran from May 6 to May 12, 2024.
I took time to say thank you to the nurses.
Knowing that nurses have an essential role in our lives, many don’t see the burden they carry for the ones we love going into the next chapter of their lives.
I witnessed how nurses assisted doctors with various intake procedures this past week.
Nurses offer compassion and kindness to those who need it most. Nurses are also often a source of comfort, safety, and security while being passionate about helping others.
In short, Nurses add so much value, yet many continue to take their services for granted.
I often wonder, with the stresses of life in 2024, who is taking care of the mental health of our Nurses these days?
Many remember the pandemic of 2020 and how they carried the burden, and, in most cases, they are still carrying the burden with people still infected today.
Nurses are human beings like you and me; their mental health is also essential.
Nevertheless, as we celebrate mental health month, it’s celebrated during a month of many other celebrations.
Gerontology and Mental Health are two areas I have learned to understand as I age and see the effects of others.
Mental Health Concerns and Aging | Psychology Today
Each time I visit the doctor, nurses ask questions about depression, suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, and other probing questions concerning my mental health.
I do not want to write about anything that I have not experienced, and with two doctor’s appointments this month already, my mental health is being checked.
What about yours?
Today, you and I don’t have to look far to see the stigma attached to mental health.
Psychiatry.org – Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness
As you go about this week, think about all the people in your life and how you can better support their mental health as well as your own.
“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
“Never give up on someone with mental illness. When “I” is replaced by “We,” illness becomes Wellness.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
Remember, “There is no health without mental health.” ~ David Satcher
Good morning CM, thanks for the transparency, and I fully support your efforts regarding mental health. Within the past year, I finally chose to get some assistance regarding my choice to overlook how the death of some close friends in combat has affected me throughout the years. With that said, I wanted to share with you and your audience that providers are using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to treat trauma and various mental health concerns.
Have a blessed day!
Terrance,
Greetings and thanks for your input today. My prayers are with as I can understand how a band of brothers feel when we lose someone in combat or even in our units. I have never heard of mental health workers using “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to treat trauma and various mental health concerns.” Thanks for sharing this information.
CM
I like the Shannon Alder quote.
I’ve heard other successful people’s stories, and I’m confident that my story can be similar based on
3 Things:
1) The stories of people who are good at something are because they struggled mightily with that thing.
2) Action comes before Courage. That is why we “take courage”. Sometimes, even if you’re afraid, you just do it scared. Cold showers are helpful. Not doing something is also a choice.
3) We form habits, then our habits form us.. but habits are probably exercising the same routines. Our mind needs to explore. Have an outlet where God has a reason to not be finished with you, yet.
Greg,
Thanks for summarizing the three points you provided. Stories, Action, and Habits all are insightful, and help tied in with Shannon Alder quotes.
McKinley
Excellent piece McKinley.
I was reminded that last week was also National Teacher Appreciation week (by my oldest son who is a high school teacher) and much of the same is true about teachers.
Our family has mental health issues in several generations and we work to remove the stigma so the individual is seen as a whole person, not “one of them”. I work toward the day we will accept this just as we do with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure. I think of how much I’ve learned from my family members who have struggled with this.
Jane,
Your comments today humble me. Thank you for the reminder that last week was also National Teacher Appreciation week as they too are challenged with various students each day. In addition, I appreciate that you shared a private victory with this public audience about your own family mental health issues to remove the stigma. As long as we continue to learn we can become better.
McKinley
McKinley your thoughts are right on time for me. Really appreciate what you said about mothers and nurses. “There is no health without mental health. “ God’s Grace, I refuse to take mental health for granted. Many thanks,
Ola
Ola,
Thank you for being a contributor this week and I appreciate it. Your comments humble me as well as I try to write from the heart. I’m honored that you “refuse to take mental health for granted.”
Blessings to you!
McKinley
As a Mental Health professional, I understand the effects of negative thinking. The mind is much stronger than the body, it can direct the body positively and healthily through good thoughts. Worrying about what we cannot change only adds undue stress to the mind and body. I encourage everyone to be grateful for what they have instead of what they don’t.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27
Scott,
Thank you for providing insights as a Mental Health professional. They are much needed in our society. I particularly like “The mind is much stronger than the body, it can direct the body positively and healthily through good thoughts.” I’m encouraged by your words and actions.
Thank you again for your input today.
McKinley