Your Mental Health Matters

Four Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health

It is important to prioritize your mental health. When we don’t pay attention to our mental health or check-in with ourselves, we might start ignoring signs that we need help. This may include support from someone else.

Here are four helpful practices you might want to try to check your mental health temperature.

1. Start a journal

• Tracking your day-to-day mood can give you time to pause and reflect on how you’re feeling, especially if you’ve noticed that you’re particularly upset or depressed. It’s also a good way to record important milestones and positive, exciting things that are going on in your life. Taking a few minutes every day to understand where you are and what you’re feeling can be grounding during a time where things can often seem out-of-control.

2. Take time away from screens

• It may seem like all of life is taking place on a screen. All of your friends are online and many of your classes too. But, taking some time off from computers and phones can be a helpful way to clear your mind and spend a few quiet moments by yourself. These little breaks can provide much-needed breathers during busy days and encourage you to check-in once again with yourself to assess how you’re feeling and what you need.

3. Make a list of soothing strategies

• Sometimes, when stressful situations or emotions arise, it can be difficult to access the skills we’ve developed to cope. Creating a physical list of soothing activities (that you keep close on hand) can be a helpful visual reminder. Anything can be on this list as long as it is soothing to you. When you sense yourself becoming stressed out, or even just need a break, check your list! This includes breathing. It may sound silly but pausing to take a few deep, slow breaths can help soothe you in a difficult moment.

4. Ask for Help

• Requesting help is not easy, but it is sometimes necessary. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, reach out to someone you trust. Create a network of friends and others (teachers, extended family) who you can fall back on for support.

(Source: AllOne Health on-line)

Carteret Community College Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): ACI Specialty Benefits/Allone Health –  available 24/7/365

1-800-932-0034; http://carteretcommunitycollege.acieap.com/  (Company Code: CART13410)

Allone Health provides a variety of online resources and live webinars.

Upcoming Webinars include:

• October 24^th Grief in the Workplace @ noon – 12:45pm Register
• November 13^th Holiday Survival Guide @ 1:30 – 2:30pm Register
• November 20^th Consumer Spending Stress: Taking Back Control of our Financial Wellness @ noon – 12:45pm Register

TalkLife Workplace: Free online wellness app that offers instant, ongoing peer-to-peer support 24/7.  You can find more information and the links to their app here: Talklife Workplace  (You will need to use your College email address for the initial sign-up to confirm that you are a College employee.)

Other Resources

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides national leadership to improve the mental health of the nation.

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots mental health organization that raises awareness and provides support within communities.

MHA: Mental Health America- a national organization that provides direct service, public education, advocation and addresses public policy.

Crisis Resources:

988: National free Lifeline for individuals in crisis. You can call, text chat and ASL 24/7, 365 days per year

Integrated Family Services Mobile Crisis Services: 24/7, 365 days crisis service access: 1-866-437-1821

RHA Mobile Crisis Services: 24/7, 365 days crisis service access: 1/844-709-4097

Take care of yourself. Your mental health matters.