JeffCo Health Department Update: 5/5/2021

Promoting health and wellness are the pieces of my job that are closest to my heart. Creating opportunities for people to have an awareness of and make choices that improves their overall quality of life brings great satisfaction. I view wellness as a spectrum. For each of us, throughout our lives, we can move on that spectrum. There are times when we are more, or less, physically, emotionally or mentally well. Well-being integrates both physical and mental health in preventing disease and promoting health.

Many factors contribute to our health and well-being. Some of the strategies used to protect our physical health in the past year, have had an impact on our mental health. It has been a time of illness, isolation and loss. Loss of time, routine, resources and connection. Now more than ever we need to find safe ways to connect to one another. Ways to cope with the stresses of life. Ways to be productive, contribute and find joy. We need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns.

Maintaining positive mental health is more easily achieved when we have positive connections with others, make time for our physical health and seek professional help when needed. This past year presented so many different challenges that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. If you found that it impacted your mental health, you are not alone.

The good news is there are resources available to support the well-being of us as individuals and communities. A great way to begin prioritizing mental health is to participate in a mental health screening. Mental Health America offers a free confidential way to assess your own mental health. Check it out at MHAscreening.org

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now is a great starting point to begin processing the events, feelings and challenges of the past year. It is a time to take care of yourself and others. It is a time to work to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Now is a good time to assess your personal well-being and move toward a healthy future. It is a time to hope for change. Be well.