Take Charge of Your Health - Mental Health Matters

Being able to be your true self is one of the strongest components of good mental health. 
-Lauren Fogel Mersy

At a recent conference Susan Swick, MD MPH, a mental health physician expert on the Monterey Peninsula, expressed optimism and ideas for caring for our mental health.

She started by asking the audience what we did for our dental health and yes, we all knew brush and floss (and limit sugary treats). She then posed the question of what we were doing for our mental health. It was a good query that got us all thinking. Self-care, meditation, exercise, sleep, were thrown out as ideas and all were good ones, but in addition to these tactical applications, Dr. Swick offered us a big picture view she called the ABCs of Mental Health Hygiene. Her construct struck a nerve in its simplicity as something we could all attempt to do on a routine basis.

The A was for Awareness, knowing where you are, paying attention to your feelings, validating reality instead of escaping it. The B was for being Big-Hearted. Finding a way to connect with people and offer your gift of time and talent; assume positive intent instead of looking for slights or indignities. And C was for Control, noting we have the ability to control how we react and how we respond as well as being able to examine our role and change it in a way that is satisfying and rewarding.

Mental health statistics are off the charts in the extreme crisis we are facing with suicide rates as high as they have ever been, drug problems and addictions growing, and the level of depression and other mental illnesses experiencing steep increases. We must all be sensitized to the battles waging in so many of our fellow humans. It brings to mind the words first ascribed to Socrates, “Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a mighty battle.”

It is a call to action. So in the same way we all know what to do for our dental health, perhaps we all can make the same effort and take the same care to protect our mental health. It may be as simple as practicing our ABCs. We will try right along with you all...

Numbers to remember:  Emergency assistance: call 911       Suicide prevention: call 988
Good article on adolescent suicide: https://aimymh.org/suicide_prevention_toolkit/