How TrustCare Can Support You During Mental Health Awareness Month
At TrustCare, we work hard to help you Feel Better Faster®.
But that goes beyond helping you feel better physically. We believe that truly comprehensive care addresses both physical and mental well-being, and we are fully committed to addressing your mental health concerns as professionally and holistically as we do your physical ones.
Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month empowers people to prioritize their mental well-being and confidently seek the support they need without stigma or fear. TrustCare is here to do our part by sharing resources and encouraging our patients every step of the way.
The Meaning Behind Comprehensive Care
“Health is a state of complete mental, social, and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease.”
-World Health Organization, 1948
Even so many decades ago, the World Health Organization understood the meaning behind comprehensive care. Physical health is obviously important, but it’s not the only type of health that deserves our attention. Everything in our bodies is interconnected, making mental health a critical component of overall health and well-being.
Taking a Comprehensive Approach at TrustCare
The vision for TrustCare began in 2012 with the recognition that many people in the communities we serve could not receive prompt medical care seven days a week, forcing families to waste time and money in the emergency room for minor illnesses and injuries.
TrustCare now operates 10+ urgent care clinics that are open 361 days a year and serve thousands of patients every month. We also offer primary care, pediatric primary care (TrustCare Kids), and more. By expanding these services, we are well-equipped to treat our patients’ physical health.
However, we understand that mental health is an equally important piece of the puzzle, and TrustCare fully embraces the belief that comprehensive care should address both physical and mental well-being. From seeking therapy to spending time in nature, we’re here to share the many ways that you can better your mental health.
Start With Your Primary Care Physician
Life is hard, and you don’t have to face your mental health struggles alone. And you are certainly not alone – according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 42 million Americans have anxiety disorders and 16 million live with major depression. Overall, one of every five American adults experiences some type of mental illness.
A great place to begin your search for professional help is to ask your primary care physician, who knows your medical history and likely has colleagues in the mental health field.
Seeking help early for a mental health issue can make a big difference, but perhaps you’re not sure if you need it. Here are some warning signs to watch for:
- When your emotions begin affecting your relationships, work, or sense of well-being
- When your friends and family express concern
- When you’re unable to concentrate or sleep well
- When you no longer enjoy activities that once excited you
- When you keep getting sick without a clear physical cause
- When you feel sad, depressed, or lonely
- When you are struggling to deal with life’s challenges
- When you begin using drugs or alcohol to cope
If you begin to feel like life is no longer worth living, please seek help immediately. No one is prepared to make life-or-death decisions alone in a state of distress – and you absolutely should not have to.
The Benefits of Seeking Professional Mental Help
Seeking professional mental help has many immediate and long-term benefits, including:
Improving your quality of life – Creating a mentally healthier and happier you often leads to greater satisfaction in relationships and life in general.
Learning coping methods – You’ll learn tools and strategies to cope with the challenges that life brings, while discovering what does and doesn’t work for you.
Building better relationships – Improving your mental health empowers you to reconnect with your loved ones and build better relationships through clear and honest communication.
Boosting work performance – Mental health issues can severely impact your work performance. By seeking help, you can begin performing to the best of your ability.
Staying physically healthy – Obesity, sleep disorders, digestive problems, and other illnesses are all linked to poor mental health. Seeking help minimizes your risk of developing these conditions.
Knowing that you are not alone – Dealing with mental health issues can be an incredibly isolating experience. By seeking help, you join a supportive community that can offer you caring guidance and advice.
Overcoming the Stigma of Seeking Help
In the past, people with mental health conditions often had to live with harmful stigma. Thankfully, much of the world has greatly decreased the stigma of seeking help for stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, opening up new conversations about mental health and our need to prioritize it.
If you face any stigma about seeking help – perhaps at work or from your loved ones – we have one very important word for you to remember: self-care.
Self-care is when you take time to do things that help you live well and prioritize both your physical and mental health. Even small acts of self-care (such as walking 30 minutes a day, drinking plenty of water, and getting a good night’s sleep) can have a big impact.
Seeking professional help is just another way of practicing self-care, and you have every right to do so. Millions of people agree that the results are worth it.
TrustCare Cares About Your Mental Health
Whether you’re an existing patient or new to TrustCare, you can trust your mental health concerns to us. To learn more or seek help, ask your TrustCare provider about professional mental health resources in your community.
It’s easy to get started! Find a TrustCare location near you today.