La Concordia Wellness Center

In the US, May is the month that brings awareness to the mental health of all. Mental Health America (MHA) talks about mental health in a changing world. Indeed, the evolution of addressing mental health issues continues to vary as society evolves. Are we ready to address the challenges of change? For many, change is very difficult; it means switching day-to-day routines and getting out of specific patterns, be they adaptive or maladaptive. As a whole, change brings a lot of anxiety to many people. Let’s be aware that mental struggles can start at home and can transition through every stage of developmental change in an individual. Transition of being separated from the care of a parent, of starting to attend school, adjusting to friends and relationships, as well as dealing with peer pressure and drug exposure. I wish I could say that these transitions are positive for everyone, in the position that I hold as a clinician I have can state to the fact that not all transitions are good. Besides being the place that many of our kids get hurt, the peer pressure that happens during school years, which can include bullying, is one of the most impactful experiences that affects the mental health of all.

Change does not only affect the children of our society. With the evolution of society and how we take in information (i.e. social media), change is something that impacts our elderly as well. The elderly suffer from depression and anxiety as they face a world that is rapidly changing from the one they once knew. We often times hear “well in my day…” and this is due to older generations having a hard time adjusting to the current time period.

Change however is not always negative, change can also be perceived as something positive. Only through learning the skill of seeing the positive in a negative situation can we see that every cloud has a silver lining. This is an acquired skill that is learned through the help of others. We need be aware of how we all suffer from mental illness in varying degrees. Therefore, learn how mental health is impacted by day-to-day life; practice the coping skills that help you get through the day and act in a way that helps you manage the stressors that you encounter; and most importantly of all, be an advocate, not only for yourself as a way to open the doors to those who are suffering quietly due to mental health conditions. You’re not alone, talk to a mental health provider if you are suffering from a mental health condition.

La Concordia; Your wellness; Your Health; You Deserve it!