Mental wellness looks at the whole person, which includes our mind, body, emotions and social interactions. This means, mental wellness is something we all need!
Alison, Outpatient Therapist & Clinical Team Lead and Pepper, the horse.
During this year’s Mental Wellness Month, we’re excited to highlight Alison, an Outpatient Therapist and Clinical Team Lead in Raleigh, NC. She shares how she cares for her own mental wellness while helping others to do the same.
What small daily self-care habits or routines help you maintain your own mental wellness?
“I’m an early riser and use the early morning hours for myself. I enjoy reading or working on a puzzle during this quiet time of my day. During these early hours, I try to avoid work as I do like to ease into my day. I also make it a priority to go to bed early, ensuring I get enough rest to feel balanced and ready for the day ahead.”
What mental wellness strategies have you found most helpful?
“People often feel better when they slow down, notice what they’re feeling and don’t react automatically. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can be really helpful for this. DBT teaches people to accept the reality of how things are while also learning how to make positive changes. One important skill, distress tolerance, helps people handle strong emotions without reacting impulsively. These strategies show that small, intentional changes in how we respond to stress and emotions can make a big difference.”
Can you share an example of how mental wellness has benefited someone you support?
“I support a young autistic man who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He has had the desire to go to school, but struggled with completing tasks and would often give up. He has little personal support in his life, but the support from his wonderful Tailored Care Manager has helped him tremendously. As of today, he is getting ready to complete a certification which will lead to immediate employment! It’s been wonderful to see how the mental wellness skills he’s learned have supported him on his journey.”
This Mental Wellness Month, remember to take care of your own mental wellness. Alison leaves us with an important piece of advice from psychologist Steven Kurtz: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” By leaning into life’s challenges, we are able to grow.
If you’re looking for support or guidance on your mental wellness journey, Easterseals PORT Health is here to help. Learn more about our mental health services at eastersealsport.com/mental-health-for-youth and eastersealsport.com/mental-health-for-adults.
ABOUT US
Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability, mental health and substance use services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,600 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsPORT.com.
