Have you seen our Mental Health Monday videos? If not, no need to fear! At Lifelong Access, it is our goal to make mental health information more accessible to everyone. 

Here’s everything you may have missed from our Mental Health Monday series:

It’s important to continue asking about your child’s day at school, even if they don’t typically answer.

One of our Behavioral Health clinicians, Elise, reports that “there is a lot of research that suggests that short, frequent conversations with your kids, or just check-ins, sets the stage for them to be able to communicate with you when they really need to.” 

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/835788478642455 

Important hotlines you need to know:

911 - Call this number if you or someone you know is having a medical or public safety emergency.

988 - Call this number if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or even if you are in the middle of a suicide attempt.

211 - Call this number if you are going through a crisis (such as needing rent or housing assistance, locating food pantries or shelters, etc.) and are looking for resources or hotlines that can offer support.

State Warm Line - Call your state warm line if you are looking for someone to help you process emotional distress. 

Gabby, one of our Qualified Mental Health Professionals, mentions that “if you’re in a crisis, there is no wrong number to call.”

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPRUUPd01w/ 

Whatever you are capable of doing today is good enough.

“You put away your laundry today. That’s good enough. You get out of bed today. That’s good enough. You choose to stay another day. That’s good enough. You’re good enough,” says Gabby.

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPStFdgOTL/ 

4 types of self-care:

Hannah, a clinician at our Behavioral Health Clinic, says that “there are 4 different categories of self-care—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and there are activities that you can do in each of the categories that can help you improve your self-care so that you feel more mentally and physically well.”

Physical self-care - Take a walk, listen to music, follow along with a workout video, get a good night’s sleep, eat healthy foods.

Mental self-care - Work on a coloring page, play with fidget toys or sensory items, make a gratitude list.

Emotional self-care - Talk to a trusted friend about your problems, or journal about your feelings.

Spiritual self-care - Engage in mindfulness or meditation, spend time in nature, speak positive affirmations.

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPTr5S2nHP/ 

Know the warning signs of a crisis:

-Changes in yourself or others

        Gabby notes that these changes “can be as small as a change in routine or as major as losing a significant other or         losing your job.” 

-Self-isolation, or noticing others isolating themselves

        Katie, a Mental Health Professional at our Behavioral Health Clinic, notes that “maybe they’re not joining you in         activities that they used to, or maybe they’ve experienced a life event recently that’s been really hard for them to         adjust to.”

-Increase in thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPUEXagMvf/ 

Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?

Common after delivering a baby:

-Feeling sad or having more crying spells

-Feeling more irritable

-Sleeping less

“Where you need to be concerned is when this exacerbates or exceeds two weeks and becomes more severe,” says our Behavioral Health Specialist and clinician, Morgan.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression:

-Feeling hopeless or extremely depressed

-Experiencing feelings of worthlessness, shame, an extreme sense of mom-guilt

-Having difficulties bonding with your baby

-Thoughts of suicide or death

-Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

“Especially those last few, including difficulties bonding with your baby and thinking about harming yourself or your baby, are really the top warning signs of when it’s time to reach out and get help,” says Morgan.

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPVnFCInv4/ 

Explore different types of fidget toys and sensory items:

Matt and Shannon from our Behavioral Health Clinic discuss some of their favorite uncommon fidget toys and sensory items, including:

NeeDoh Nice Cube

NeeDoh Gumdrop

Marbles and Fabric

Space Mesh

Crazy Aaron’s Putty

Push Peel

Watch here: https://fb.watch/wPWsCuHTid/ 

About the author: Lauryn Raff is a Marketing Assistant at Lifelong Access. She is also a recent graduate from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. Her passion lies in all forms of creative expression, and she is always looking for innovative ways to create positive change.   

The views expressed are Lauryn's and do not necessarily represent the official views of Lifelong Access.