When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it is a lot to handle. It is important to remember that mental health is important to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. It is not uncommon for life to be out of balance sometimes, especially when we are dealing with really difficult situations. Often, we can work through things and get back to feeling better about things on our own. But it can be difficult to know when things are too hard to manage on our own and what to do if they are.
So much of what we do physically also affects us mentally. If we pay attention to our physical health and mental health, it can help achieve overall wellness. Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making us both physically and mentally healthy. And, we also need to take care of our emotional, social, and spiritual health. A healthy lifestyle may help prevent the beginning of or worsening of mental health conditions and can also help people recover from these conditions.
The Community Coalition of Forest County which has many members from the county including U.W. Madison-Extension, is a 501 (3) (c) Non-Profit Organization that was formed in 2008 for the purpose of informing and engaging all age groups and cultures in our diverse county in a collaborative effort to measurably improve the health and well-being of our residents with a focus on substance abuse and prevention.
In a 4-part video series offered by the Community Coalition of Forest County we are focusing on:
-understanding mental health and mental illness
-understanding addiction and current drug use trends in Forest County and Wisconsin
-understanding trauma and stress its impact on youth and adults
-wellness and stress reduction activities and local mental health resources.
We will be calling on local people and professionals from Forest County to share their knowledge, experience, and resources.
In this first video of this series Lynn McCorkle of Crandon and Mary Thornton of Laona help us to understand the components of mental health and recognize signs that we or others in our life are struggling and may need help.
Check back for links to new sessions as they are released in August!
For more information on Mental Health and information on exercise, diet and nutrition, sleep, stress management, Covid-19 resources and so much more, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net.
Remember that mental health concerns are common and treatable. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have or if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. And please pay attention to how your family members, neighbors, and co-workers are doing, especially in these covid-19 times. If you have concerns about their mental health, don’t be afraid to mention it. Let them know what you are seeing and offer to listen and help connect them with someone who can help.
Call 211 for other free and confidential resources to help you or a loved one connect with services in the area.
If in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Human Service Center of Forest, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Crisis Line 1- 888-299-1188.
