Your Mental Health Matters: Nurturing Emotional Well-Being for Happier Communities

Mental health is a crucial part of our lives every day, affecting how we feel, think and act. While physical health is about caring for our bodies, mental health is all about caring for our emotional and psychological well-being.

Sometimes, we feel really good, like when we're happy or excited. Other times, we feel sad, stressed or anxious. These emotions are normal and part of being human.

But when negative emotions, thoughts or behaviors become overwhelming, they can affect our lives in a big way. These overwhelming feelings can be temporary and due to something situational happening in our lives—like stress from a job, a move, or a relationship—or they can be more constant and ongoing throughout our lives.

No matter the cause, mental health conditions are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background.

There are ways to get help and feel better. Talking to someone we trust, like a friend or family member, can make a big difference. Professional help from therapists, counselors or psychiatrists can also provide valuable guidance and support without judgment.

Sometimes looking for help can feel like the biggest hurdle. That’s where tools like the Interactive Guide to HealthFlex Mental Health Resources come in handy. With a few simple questions, you can find resources that might be a good fit for you, depending on your needs and interests.

Taking care of our mental health is important, just like taking care of our bodies. Prioritizing sleep, healthy eating, and finding ways to relax and have fun can help us feel better.

It’s also important to remember that everyone’s mental health journey is different. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find what helps us feel our best, and to reach out for support when we need it.

Taking care of our mental health isn’t just good for us, it’s good for our communities. When we talk openly and empathetically about mental health, we can help everyone feel supported and cared for. This helps break down the stigma around mental health and makes our communities more welcoming for everyone.

These stories from HealthFlex participants help to show the range of mental health challenges we can all face in our lives—and that help is always available.

• I currently have a wonderful therapist. I was severely depressed in the early part of 2020, but the depression had been building for quite a while. In the early part of my ministry career, I suffered from severe depression. Moving made it harder to keep seeing that first counselor. Virtual therapy sessions is a good thing that happened because of COVID. Working on your mental health takes time. You cannot rush through mental health treatment; just as you cannot rush through any physical treatments. We are worth the time and effort to be wholly well. As time passes, I will continue to keep in touch with my therapist, much like I would with a physical check-up. – Kathy M.
  
  
• My husband died of cancer at age 54. I was 45. I thought that I was coping well, caring for our 12-year-old son, making it to work, “keeping it together.” At an annual physical, I told my physician that I “just didn't feel well.” He questioned me, and from my answers, referred me to a psychiatrist for an assessment for depression. I was assessed as being clinically depressed and started taking an SRI [serotonin reuptake inhibitor]…I am grateful for my physician asking me questions once I said that I didn't feel well, and grateful for the medicine, which helped. I learned that the dark place I was in was a clinical depression. I'm grateful for the help I received. – Phyllis F.
  
  
• Since joining Virgin Pulse and getting involved in healthy eating and taking a single step with the Journey exercises (which help with stress, sleep and eating healthy), I realized that my mental health/self-esteem has been in overdrive for years. Everything we do plays a vital part in our mental health. I have now begun to focus on ME with healthy living, and it has been an amazing journey of joy! – Pattie G.
  
  
• I have a family history of anxiety and depression, which became a major challenge for me after a family member nearly died. I used the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to find a counselor who provided a listening ear and some practical suggestions for managing my anxiety. I'm so grateful that this service was provided at no cost. I’m also grateful for the excellent counselor the EAP found in my area. Things aren't perfect, but I now have the tools for managing my mental health. – Melissa M.
  
  
• Approximately 12 years ago, I was battling depression and stress on a major scale. Utilizing the EAP program, I began a series of therapy sessions with a professional counselor. Those sessions continued with regularity (whether I needed them or not) until the onset of the COVID pandemic. There were numerous benefits that resulted from those sessions, including but not limited to a prescription medication to help with the mental/emotional issues. Additionally, the Virgin Health program provided motivation to try to live a healthier lifestyle. As a pastor dealing with stress on a regular basis, I recommend developing regular therapy sessions with a trained professional for mental/emotional care. – Steve P.