How Can I Contribute to Other People’s Mental Health?
I’ve been wondering and pondering for some time now, what can I possibly contribute to the mental health community that hasn’t already been said or done? Something helpful, personal and insightful. An antidote or share that will cause one person to feel less alone or hopeless. Being a new mental health professional while living through a pandemic and sharing my own challenging journey towards positive mental health feels like a good place to start. My own participation in therapy, studying and learning how to support others in therapy and all the juicy stuff in between seems like it could be valuable.
Out of My Comfort Zone
My goals are to offer transparent, honest, authentic insights and experiences with the hope that someone somewhere benefits from something I share. My intent is to let loose the voice within me that longs to be expressed and exposed and connect with others who feel similarly. I am afraid of saying too much, oversharing and letting too much out but it’s time to let go of the fear and stand up and speak out. I know that I’m not alone and I’ve been told my contributions have been helpful in the past. I’m choosing to be brave and speak up about my own mental health challenges and my journey to get here, as a private practice therapist who has walked the walk of depression, anxiety, chronic pain and grief and loss.
It Won’t ALL Be Sad and Depressing
I intend to share the resiliency that resides within me too; my strengths, tools and super powers that have gotten me here today, to a life that I’m pleased with, on most days. To offer those tools to you, too. To share how I create and conjure feelings of gratitude, joy and connection. To explain the simple (but not always easy) tools. Creative and somatic ways of increasing resilience and inner strength. Reading suggestions. Journal prompts. And so on.
I realize that I have an immense amount of privilege to do what I do, get the support I get and have the time to partake in the therapeutic processes as I have. I am aware that not everyone has had the same opportunities or the time to participate in the ways I have. I acknowledge that we are living in a time where there is great inequity and inequality with mental health issues, insurance and access to help. My hope is there is something that is helpful to everyone who visits.
The Gifts of Compassion and Empathy
I had no idea that when I became a mental health therapist that I would use my own journey as much as I have. When clients explain what they are going through, I really understand and feel deep empathy and compassion for their struggles. I don’t try to fix their pain, but I do hold hope that there are ways to live with it, to give ourselves permission to be where we are and also acknowledge the desire to feel better. I love that I am now able to contribute and support others. When I was younger, I was told I felt too much. Who knew that an upside of feeling so much would be that I could help others in a unique and compassionate way.
How Can I Be of Service to YOUR Mental Health?
I hope you find something helpful in the things that I share. Please submit any questions or comments and if you have a topic you would like to discuss, let me know. This is my authentic expression and attempt to destigmatize mental health difficulties and create a place where it’s safe and acceptable to share feelings.
A few of the topics I plan to write about: living with someone who didn’t understand depression, my experience with depression meds and TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), being good enough vs. perfectionism, being an ally to yourself and self-compassion, going back to school at 45, and whatever else sparks my voice, creativity and attention.
If you know someone who would benefit, please share this with them. Let them know they are not alone. If you are seeking therapeutic services, reach out to me directly for a free consultation or request a referral for services.
Thanks for reading and be kind to yourself, as you would a dear friend who deserves the very best. Because you do.
If you are in crisis and need immediate attention, please call the Multnomah County Crisis Line at 503-988-4888 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). For life threatening emergencies, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911.