By Justin and Clara Hamel
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month serves as an opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate advancements in recovery from mental illness. It is also a time to reflect on how we can better care for our own mental health, as well as the mental health of those around us.
Mental health is one of the most pervasive health issues facing American society. Last year it is estimated 22% of our population faced a mental health issue. The global statistic for mental health disorders was 13%. This means the U.S. average of mental health issues is 40% higher than the average for the rest of the world. We can choose to view this statistic as discouraging and insurmountable — or we can view it as a motivator. We can use it as a catalyst to individually and collectively examine and change social, economic and environmental factors contributing to decreased mental health.
Let’s begin with what can be done on an individual level to improve mental health and well being. One of the biggest factors in improving our mental health is improving our resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt to stress and challenging life experiences. It helps us navigate challenges, learn from setbacks and emerge stronger. It is how we respond to stressors and grow from the experience. While some people may have a high natural resilience, there is hope for all as resilience is not purely innate. It can be built, nurtured and developed throughout life.
So how can we build and nurture resilience to improve and strengthen our mental health? We can begin by cultivating positive traits like self-awareness, positive perception and compassion. These traits, combined with positive relationships, self-care and healthy coping mechanisms, can significantly enhance your ability to bounce back from life’s stressors.
Throughout this month, we will focus on providing tips to increase resilience and improve mental health and well-being. These tips will include ways to increase self-awareness, focus on positive perceptions, and foster compassion for self and others. Prioritizing practices that cultivate resilience and create a supportive environment can be a catalyst for positive change.
Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 900 South Main St., Suite A in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
