Life changes at the drop of a dime, and, in most cases, without fair warning, these changes may come in blessings and difficulties. Amid our challenges, can we even thrive as we learn to process situations that may be formidable? Many may choose to keep pushing through life while holding their survival mechanisms on high alert as they attempt to process through. And I, too, have been guilty of this. What if I were to tell you, “Yes,” we can regulate how we process and influence our demeanors when life begins to uncomfortably shift, if we have the right tools.
When finding a healthy balance on life becomes complex and difficult to rationalize, we need to recognize that mental health is a critical part of our overall wellness. Moments in life that make you feel there is not enough “you” to go around, or there is not enough time in a single day to accomplish the tasks at hand are inevitable. However, when your mental health begins to decline because of it, it is something that should not be ignored. I advocate for mental health awareness, acceptance, and the need for tools that work best for our unique ways of processing life. For instance, my lifestyle as a military spouse with a blended family, small children, and a teenager, all with different educational and behavioral needs, has its share of stressors. The older my children become, my parenting and marriage go through new growth phases, and I need tools to help my family grow effectively through those stages.
As I learn to gather and collect tools for my life, I find that balance for my mental health comes from the tools rooted in counseling. Counseling should not be thought of as a one-time thing; we have to remove that stigma and consider it as “maintenance.” Tools from counseling have helped me tremendously develop in particular stages of my life. This type of maintenance is essential because the tools that worked at one time may not be as effective in the new season of life; therefore, adding to them is necessary. It is the same illustration of what can happen to your car if it’s not regularly maintained; it eventually breaks down, and we can not afford to break down!
Mental Health professionals are not one-size-fits-all, there are different types for various needs. Therefore, I want to take this moment to share a great resource I highly recommend that compliments well with our nomadic lifestyle in the military, www.psychologytoday.com. This website can help you find counselors, psychiatrists, treatment centers, and even support groups nationwide. It lets you narrow specific professions of preference, needs, and values while ensuring they are in-network with your insurance. They even list Military OneSource providers.
This article is a public service announcement that advocates for mental health and the importance of seeking tools to help you process, develop, and grow stronger as you face various stages of life effectively.
