Advocate for Your Mental Health and Live Your Best Life

Over the years, I have been blessed to speak to people worldwide with different business and career aspirations. One thing has been clear: as an entrepreneur, most of you are incredibly motivated to succeed personally and in business. I want to remind you that taking care of yourself is essential to living the best life possible. However, I am aware with the endless pressures of work and social media, it is too easy to overlook your mental health. In the past, I have neglected my own. I have even considered you may also feel like seeking help is a weakness that could hold you back. But nothing could be further from the truth. Advocating for your mental health is essential for living a fulfilling life devoid of anxiety and depression. In this blog, we will explore ways to prioritize your well-being, create a safety protocol for critical moments, and include a suicide prevention message to help yourself and others.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health

You must prioritize your mental health, just like you do your physical health. Self-care is a crucial element in preserving your emotional well-being. Take time out of each day for yourself; it could be meditating or taking a relaxing bath. Explore new hobbies or interests that could stimulate your mind and help you relieve stress. If you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and evaluate why. After a careful self-reflection, consider going to therapy.

Therapy is a proactive step for your mental health well-being management. Therapy does not necessarily mean that you have a problem; it merely indicates that you are taking care of yourself. ‘Talk’ therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have been proven to work wonders for many people. CBT has been tremendously helpful in my journey to mental wellness. The truth is there are numerous therapies besides CBT. With the help of a professional counselor, you can discover a therapy plan that works for you. I encourage you to keep searching until you find the one suited to your unique needs.

Creating a Safety Protocol

People who suffer from depression or anxiety can have suicidal thoughts. It is essential to have an action plan in case of an emergency. If you ever have thoughts of self-harm, it is not a sign of weakness or failure. Your emotions and thoughts are not who you are or what you will become. Make a safety protocol to keep yourself secure during these moments.

Your safety plan should include several emergency contacts, such as your doctor, therapist, emergency services, and a trusted friend or family member, all with their contact numbers. Write down positive affirmations you can review during the crisis and activities you can do to motivate yourself to get through the tough times, like taking a walk in nature. Make sure these coping mechanisms work when you have suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, or depression. To start, download a copy of the Mental Health Safety Protocol I created for myself when I developed my TAPIN Method. Use it as a reference to create your own. 

Suicide Prevention Message

On the subject of self-harm, suicide remains one of the most critical issues facing the world today. If you suspect someone you know may be dealing with suicidal thoughts, encourage them to seek professional help immediately. Listen to them, ensure they feel heard, and never lecture or judge. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there to assist anyone needing assistance at any time of the day or Night. Dial 988, Veterans, press 1, and get the support you need.

One of the best ways to help prevent suicide is by acknowledging your feelings openly and building a support system you can rely on. Speak with trusted friends or family members candidly about mental health to help yourself and others who may also be struggling. Please do not wait until you are in a crisis mood to have the conversation. 

The Benefits of Being a Mental Health Advocate

It is important to recognize the benefits of advocating for mental health for yourself and others in both your daily life and business practices. By prioritizing and modeling good mental health, you show a positive example for others to follow. Cultivating healthy mentalities at work can boost productivity and morale significantly. To achieve fair workplace standards, we all must understand our roles to foster a safe environment for everyone. Simple things like being mindful that we are all unique individuals, using desired pronouns, and learning to agree to disagree without being disagreeable can go a long way to creating safe mental health environments for us all.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the benefits of prioritizing and advocating for your mental health far outweigh any fears or doubts you may have. Do not be fooled by the life you see others leading on social media because, often, it is not authentic. Comparing your life to others is a way to feed the insecurities you do not want to foster. Embrace that you are unique and seek to develop your mind, body, and soul, emphasizing your mental well-being. Taking the time to advocate for your mental health is the first step in living your best life. You do not have to face these challenges alone; seeking professional help, creating a safety protocol, and including suicide prevention messages in your conversations can make all the difference. I pray this serves you as you strive to advocate for your mental well-being. Remember, each day is an opportunity, and it is up to you to seize it. Live your best life now – No Opportunity Wasted!