Mental Health Matters

TW: Mentions of suicide and mental health disorders

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call/text/chat 988 for help.

Recently, a family member tried to die by suicide. Thankfully they are OK and receiving help. The experience was terrifying and has impacted my own mental health.

I have a long history of ups-and-downs in my mental health. I live with bipolar disorder—experiencing both depression and anxiety—along with ADHD. When I’m at my lowest, I often experience suicidal ideation. Because of this it’s critical that I take steps to maintain my mental wellbeing.

Some things I find helpful:

1. Take my meds. My medication helps me stay balanced. Without it I’m likely to dip into a severe depression.
2. Get rest. Sleep is very important to me. When I don’t get the quantity and quality of sleep I need it throws everything else off. I measure my sleep and daily activity with an Oura ring.
3. Ask for help. When I’m not doing well it’s important for me to ask for help. Whether it’s from my healthcare providers, family, or friends I shouldn’t try to do it all myself. I need support.
4. Do something I enjoy. Doing something I enjoy helps me change my mindset. I like to take warm baths, listen to audiobooks, listen to music, and watch TV. I’m also exploring new things I might enjoy.

Some things I find challenging:

1. Exercise. We all know that exercise is good for our mental and physical health, but I struggle to stay committed to doing it. It seems like I’ll start then I get sick or something in my schedule gets in the way and I fall off the habit.
2. Eating healthy. Junk food and I are best friends, and my husband jokes that I have the palate of a toddler. Needless to say, I have a lot of room for growth when it comes to eating healthy.
3. Mindfulness. This is a tricky one. I feel great when I slow down and do it, but struggle to remember to do so. One tool recommended to me by my therapist to work on my mindfulness practice is the Muse headband which tracks your brainwaves and provides realtime feedback.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call/text/chat 988 for help.