Happy Mental Health Month 2023

As a black woman that has struggled with her mental health for years, I must celebrate mental health month! We are expected to be strong and have it all together, but not all of us do.

It’s time to change the narrative; mental health is health care. I remember thinking that I was less than for experiencing episodes of depression or being crippled with anxiety. Still, I needed to find ways to manage these things through therapy and medication.

I wanted to take the time to highlight the article below by Mental Health America. This organization is committed to promoting mental health as a critical part of a person’s overall well-being.

Look Around, Look Within: Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health!

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?

This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.

 Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer. While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.

• Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.

• Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.

• Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighborshelping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.

 • Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. Take a free, private screening at mhascreening.org to help you figure out what is going on and determine the next steps. The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Learn more with Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit, which provides free, practical resources, such as how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.

Tips to Avoid Seasonal Sadness/Seasonal Depression

It’s that time of year when things begin to pick up quickly, and the last few months of the year fly by - hello, September! My kids went back to school last month, and then our family was hit with COVID. It took us on a mini rollercoaster, and I’m still not sure I’m back to 100%, but that’s life. 

As a person who battles depression, I understand how seasonal sadness and depression can sneak up on people. According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can happen with the change of seasons. For most people, it begins in the fall, continues throughout the winter months, and typically resolves in the spring or early summer. 

Common symptoms of SAD

• Oversleeping

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Difficulty concentrating

• Low energy 

• Weight gain

• Change in appetite (craving more comfort foods)

These days, my goal is to focus on the positive and manage what I can, including prioritizing my mental health. I want to share a few tips to help manage or reduce the effects of your seasonal depression this year.

Schedule Joy!

Joy may look different for everyone but think about what works for you. Is it catching up with a friend or enjoying a nice meal alone? Either way - do it! You deserve it. Plan to do this monthly, and feel free to change your activity each month. Here’s what I have planned:

September - Special Date Night

October - Hair Salon Visit

November - Outdoor Movie Night

December - Solo Dinner

Get Active

I know, I know - it’s hard for me too but getting active helps to improve your health and overall well-being. It’s a natural mood booster; I feel better after taking a walk or riding my bike. Whenever I feel extremely stressed or overwhelmed, it’s helpful for me to get some fresh air. I take deep breaths and allow the day's stress to leave my body.

Local Events

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to visit the local farmers' market, attend a sporting event, or enjoy live shows. Most cities have activities planned during the holiday season, and if not in your town, head to the next one over and see what their community offers. My family and I visit the drive-thru lights every holiday season, and it’s always such a peaceful time to sing Christmas carols and sip on hot chocolate. 

This time of year is always full of excitement but it can be challenging. I use to get really overwhelmed at the thought of buying gifts for my family during Christmas but I implemented a new system to reduce my stress. I set a budget and stick to it!  No matter your struggles I encourage you to make time for yourself, figure out what’s going to make you happy, and start doing it. 

If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse please seek help from a medical professional.

13 Reasons Why

I like many people in America have seen this plastered across our timelines "13 Reasons Why..." This Netflix series has taken off! I remember starting it last year but I couldn't bring myself to watch it. It felt like a place I wasn't willing to go.  

I mean really, who wants to hear about why someone committed suicide but you know what I get it and I like it. These are conversations that need to be had. Why aren't we talking to our kids? My biggest fear is to know that my child is hurting and I can't see it. Sometimes our kids are so good at hiding things from us but are we paying attention?

I remember high school being a nightmare for me and I know it's only gotten worst. I've spoken with several moms who have chosen to let their children do school online or homeschool them because they just can't deal with the mess that's happening. I completely understand their choice but I don't think I could do that. I have to work so quitting my job and homeschooling isn't an option for me. But what I can do is make sure that I'm raising strong children who know how to use their voice. 

There are several episodes I would love to dive into, but I won't especially if you haven't seen it. 

“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything.” 
― Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

Have you ever had one incident changed your ENTIRE life? Like you could never erase it. It just won't go away. It just keeps haunting you. A major part of the reason I started blogging was to take that fear away. I would not be forced into silence. So I understand why Hannah choose to leave behind those tapes - she needed her voice to be heard. 

I have always appeared to be older than I actually was and that has been a gift and a curse but as a 9- year old girl that looked 13 or so, it was HORRIBLE! Granted there is no excuse for what the person did and how they behaved...

I used to be extremely fond of rollerblading. I would skate in my parent's driveway almost every day after school. I probably did it a little too often because one day a man showed up out of nowhere. It scared me. I didn't know what was about to happen to me but I recognized the man because he worked at my school. He kept talking to me and wanting to know if my parents were home...it began to feel very uncomfortable and thank God my mom came outside. My mom questioned him but he didn't give any answers and she shoosed him away. It was weird and scary. Who knows what would have happened to me. Could I have been on someone's milk carton? My mom, being the type of mother she is wasn't going for that foolishness. She went to the school and reported the incident. He was let go due to the nature of his behavior and told to stay away from my family and I.

That incident changed my life and not in a good way. It was my first lesson with the rape culture and how you're expected not to say anything. I was bullied for months behind this. It was awful!!!!!! It got so bad that I didn't ride the bus to or from school anymore because people felt that I wanted the attention and shouldn't have been upset about getting it.

Some things may never change, children will be picked on...but what should we do? I believe as a parent it's my job to teach my children right from wrong. It's my job to help them understand that being mean to someone does not give them a leg up in the world.

Have you watched? If so, what are your thoughts? Is there anything you would change?