There is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals in our healthcare system. Unfortunately, individuals cannot afford the cost of care or people are denied access due to a lack of medical insurance. Mental health problems are escalating because of the limited availability and high costs of therapy. Even though these challenges are not physical, they are very significant and are often overlooked.1 Mental health issues are causing public health threats in communities such as suicide, violence, and mass shootings. These health threats stem from human disconnection due to social, psychological, and physical separation from others.1 Therefore, it drives up anxiety, depression, stress, suicide, loneliness, violence, isolation, and poor therapeutic outcomes. These public health threats are taking people’s lives and lowering average life expectancy in the United States because individuals are dying prematurely.1
One smart way to maintain one's psychological well-being if a qualified mental health professional is unavailable is to use self-care. It is a positive way of dealing with complex challenges in life efficiently and effectively to help people naturally restore themselves.2 Self-care is a way of preserving ourselves to help us embark upon the healing process. We commit ourselves by taking time to do activities that help us live well and improve our psychological and physiological health.2 Walking, exercising, reading, shopping, eating healthy, or spending time with our family can help decrease stress, reduce disease risk, and raise energy levels. Taking incremental steps to care for ourselves can provide us with significant benefits in the long run.2
Another action that people can take to improve their mental health is focusing on positivity and optimism.3 We can move beyond survival and thrive if we think about positive thoughts. Optimism helps us enable conditions where we can flourish and make the most of things.3 It means establishing goals and priorities to increase our strengths, strive for excellence, and reach for achievement. If people want to nurture their best version, they must be resilient and live a meaningful life.3 Mindfulness, positivity, and optimism are all about being grateful and happier, approaching issues differently, and having the capability to cope effectively with adversity. A positive mindset can help increase our longevity and better recovery from sickness and disease.3
Think positive with optimism and engage in self-care to help boost one's overall health and well-being and become more resilient.3 Self-care is vital to preserving the quality of life because it influences how we think, act, feel, and respond to others.3 Making the necessary psychological adjustments can help people better adapt to adversity, have less likelihood of developing mental health problems, display healthier behaviors, and obtain more satisfaction in life.3
References:
Solving the mental health provider shortage. Psychology Today. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/best-practices-in-health/202309/solving-the-mental-health-provider-shortage
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time for self-care. Samhsa.gov. Published April 26, 2023. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/mental-health-awareness-month-time-self-care
Hayes A. Reasons to be positive and optimistic. Practicing Resilience for Self-Care & Healing. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.pacesconnection.com/g/practicing-resilience/blog/reasons-to-be-positive-and-optimistic
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