Maureen Dunleavy, the Regional Vice President of the Guidance Care Center, an organization that has locations all over the Keys, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5 FM this morning to talk about mental health.
New Year’s resolutions can play a big part in self-esteem.
Dunleavy said, “Mental health is managed. So, I think the really key point, is that we don’t cure mental health. Coming up with a lot of things that need to change or do, really, is going to just set us up for failure. The bigger thing is to pick small things that we can do that are going to help improve our mental health. So there’s lots of options and choices we’ve talked about before, getting out with nature, spending more time by the ocean, meditation, reading, lots of things that people can do to improve mental health and it doesn’t have to be this ginormous action. It really can just be a small change. I’m going to try to read five pages a day, or I’m going to get out for five minutes and walk or whatever. That can be really life changing for people.”
The beginning of every new year can be a time for a lot of stress.
Dunleavy said, “There are lots of things that happen in our life that can be stressors or can be frustrating or can make us angry or upset. We want to focus on the things we can control. So we always can control our response to what’s happening in the world. We can’t control those things. I love this analogy, that in Key West, when you get behind the conch train, you can always tell how you’re doing, because the conch train is always the same. It’s always going slow. It’s got people on that are enjoying Key West and if I’m getting upset and angry about the conch train, that’s about me. That is not about the train itself, because it’s the same every single day.”
What other suggestions can help people have a healthy mindset?
Dunleavy said, “We always have choices and we don’t have control of most things that happen in our life, people, places and things around us, we can’t change. We can only change ourselves. I think the other really important message is to know that there is small things we can do that make big changes. Touching base with someone, sending a text, checking in with other people, helps them as much as it helps us. That connection is really good for our mental health, and so that’s a very small gesture that doesn’t take a lot of time, but can have a big impact. So when people are thinking about resolutions, thinking about making changes in their life, improving their mental health, those are changes that they want to think about is making those small changes that are going to have a big impact.”
The time after the holidays can be a tough few weeks for people.
Dunleavy said, “The highest risk for suicide nationwide is in the springtime. The reason for that is because there are less opportunities to connect, also for those that are in other areas of the country, not so much us, where the light is changing. We don’t have as much daylight in the winter months. That also brings a factor. If people are drinking or using alcohol to cope, and we know in our community that alcohol usage is widespread, then that’s going to make those feelings of depression worse, because alcohol is a depressant. If people start to feel hopeless, start to think of suicide, and then are drinking when they’re feeling that way, that’s just going to increase their chances of death or fatality. So we definitely don’t want that. I know there’s a big movement in January, lots people talk about sober January and really cutting down on alcohol usage, especially if it’s something that’s happened over the holidays, when people were drinking more. I think it’s important to note that Guidance Care Center has lots of resources to be able to help individuals stop using alcohol or other drugs and to get on track for the new year.”
Anyone who has issues, you don’t have to manage them alone.
Dunleavy said, “We have lots of resources and programs. Individuals can check out our website. They can come into any of our offices during business hours to ask questions. We have a 24 hour mobile crisis response line, and that number is 305-434-7660 and then option eight. As soon as the script starts, you don’t have to listen to it. You can just press eight. You’ll be connected to a live person. We can help to get people connected if they need crisis stabilization because they’re feeling suicidal, if they’re thinking about and wanting to get into our detox center or if we just need to problem solve, whatever the crisis is going on, and come up with other resources. We’re available 24/7 to do that. Our 24 hour hotline is free, and those services, there’s no charge, and we’re going to help people, whether they can pay for it or not. So if they need to see one of our psychiatrists, if you need to get into detox, if you need a therapist, if you want to attend relapse prevention group, we’re able to help people access all of those resources. No one should be afraid to reach out because they don’t have the finances to pay for the services. Remember to reach out to at least find out what’s available. Nobody should be afraid to do that. We don’t want to lose any more lives in our community. We’re going into a very challenging time when we get to the spring and the summer. So know we’re here. We’re available 24/7, 305-434-7660, option eight.”
For more information, click here: https://www.guidancecarecenter.org/