Beyond Mental Wellness Awareness Month: Ways to Support Your Mental Wellness All Year Round
January is Mental Wellness Month—a time to focus on nurturing mental health and fostering a sense of balance, hope, and resilience in our lives. At Community Services Group (CSG), we believe mental wellness is a cornerstone of overall health, not just in January but all year long.
Mental Health vs. Mental Wellness: What’s the Difference?
While the terms “mental health” and “mental wellness” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings:
- Mental Health refers to your overall psychological state, including how you think, feel, and behave. It encompasses both mental illness and mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression, and can fluctuate based on various factors such as stress, trauma, or genetics.
- Mental Wellness is the active process of making choices and adopting habits that promote mental health. It’s about proactively building resilience, fostering positive relationships, and cultivating a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
In short, mental health is the foundation, while mental wellness is about actively thriving on that foundation.
How to Support Your Mental Wellness
There are so many effective ways you can actively support your mental wellness, and you should! Here at CSG, we are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to achieve optimal mental wellness because we see first-hand the powerful and positive impact it has. Some services or programs to consider can include:
- Outpatient Therapy and Counseling: These services offer compassionate support for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and life’s challenges.
- Mental Health First Aid Training: Educating community members on recognizing and responding to mental health challenges.
- EPIC: Programs like our Early Psychosis Intervention Collaborative serve individuals experiencing early symptoms and warning signs of a first episode of psychosis, along with resources for families and support systems.
Our team is here to help you take proactive steps toward improving your mental wellness, no matter where you are on your journey.
Ways to Actively Support Your Mental Wellness
Being proactive about your mental wellness is key. Here are a few examples of how you can do just that:
- Build Meaningful Connections: Relationships are vital to emotional well-being. Spend time with loved ones or reach out to new communities.
- Get Active: Physical activity reduces stress and improves mood by releasing endorphins. Try at-home workouts if you’re crunched for time or join a local gym or fitness center for the added benefit of community!
- Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and deep breathing can help you stay grounded and present, especially when things get stressful.
- Seek Professional Help: When challenges feel overwhelming, know that is OK to seek a mental health professional to provide support and guidance.
- Prioritize Rest: A good night’s sleep is essential for emotional resilience and mental clarity, as is taking breaks when you can and using your vacation or PTO to get away and reset.
Make Mental Wellness a Priority
This Mental Wellness Month, CSG invites you to take intentional steps toward nurturing your mental well-being. Whether it’s seeking support for yourself or helping a loved one, every small effort contributes to a healthier, stronger community.
For more information about how we can support your goals for mental wellness, check out our Mental Health Services or contact us directly. Together, we can prioritize mental wellness today and every day.