May is an important month in the world of mental health as it is considered Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time when we truly have engaging conversations with one another about the world of mental health and how important it is to maintain a positive relationship with one’s mental health. Juniper Center clinician Monica Mikhaeil notes, “research by Magomedova and Fatima, mental health is a state of well-being influenced by how we handle stress and relate to others. However, our modern landscape—defined by urbanization, economic pressure, and social isolation—has reshaped this environment, contributing to the rise of anxiety and depression.” It’s one thing to raise awareness about mental health, but it’s just as important that we put that awareness into action and incorporate these elements into one’s everyday routine. We spoke to some clinicians from the Juniper Center about common things someone can do, not just this month, but throughout the year, to put thoughts into action for themselves and their peers.
Showing Support in Various Ways
If you know someone who is currently coping with anxiety, depression, or anything else that’s making them feel sad, it can be a common action to show support to them. One might ask oneself what the best way is to show my support without overstepping my boundaries, or should I make a grand gesture? Juniper Center clinician Renae Mendez answers this question by stating, “Support doesn’t need to be the big actions or huge time commitments when there is a crisis. We can provide effective support in the small actions of a text, a hug, an invitation to talk one-on-one for a few minutes, or offering to give a person a ride or similar logistical support. It could be making time to assist with personal tasks to take one thing off the plate of a friend who might be overwhelmed. These are the small actions that help a person feel seen while providing tangible support.”
Creating A Safe Space to Open Up
When one does decide to open up about everything that is going on in their lives, it can be hard for them to open up, especially in a new environment like a therapy office. One important thing to remember is that the person who is struggling might just need someone to listen to everything that is going on in their head, and allowing them to do so can help them feel more peaceful. Marilyn Markech, a Juniper Center intern, emphasizes this fact by mentioning how “being gentle and nonjudgmental is helpful when someone is struggling with their mental health. If they’re opening up, it means they need support and care. It’s important to normalize the fact that everyone struggles sometimes, and to remind them that hope is still real even when it doesn’t feel like it.” Creating a safe space for someone to open up will allow them to break down their walls a little bit easier and give them the courage to open up and speak about everything that is on their minds.
Guiding Someone In The Right Direction
When you are hanging out with a group of friends, and you notice that one of them is feeling a bit down, it’s a normal thing for you to pull them aside and ask if everything is okay. It could be something that’s just bothering them in the moment, but there is also a chance that it could be an ongoing issue that might need to be discussed further. Monica Mikhaeil, a Juniper Center clinician, explains this process by suggesting to “normalize their feelings with statements such as, ‘I’m sorry you are going through all of this, I am here to listen, or ‘I can imagine what you just described being so hard.’ Use open-ended questions that start with: What, How, Tell me about…, or Describe. Remember that instead of asking how to help, offer tangible, specific support, such as, ‘I am here to listen while you vent.’ Lastly, avoid providing unsolicited solutions or downplaying their feelings.” It allows someone to just generally ask about how their overall well-being is without pushing them to find the help they seek; in other words, it opens the door to the possibility of the person who is struggling internally to find guidance to become a new person without pressuring them to do just that.
Developing A Professional Relationship
If it does get to the point where someone feels like they need to seek a mental health professional for further help, it can be common for them to feel nervous, especially during their first session. It’s important that during the first session, not only should the professional give the individual a chance to properly introduce themselves, but also engage in a casual conversation about what’s been on their mind. Renae Mendez states that “when someone opens up about their mental health, often they are looking to be listened to, and treated like the individual they are. They need the person listening to pause and be really present and authentic in that moment of vulnerability.” Developing a professional relationship with a therapist is a multi-step process, but it’s always important that the first step allows the therapist to truly listen to what is going on and then create a plan for them to fully thrive and become a brand new person.
Taking the advocacy of mental health awareness into action is a team effort, and the Juniper Center has many wonderful clinicians who are here to help those take their awareness into action. From anxiety and depression to eating disorders and couples’ counseling, there is always someone here to speak with you about anything that is on your mind. For those who feel they need help coping with a mental health concern, The Juniper Center is a great resource. Please feel free to give us a call at 847-759-9110, extension #2, or visit our website at www.thejunipercenter.com. We are here for you.