What We Are Learning

GRACE: Let's give ourselves more grace. It's ok that you're not ok sometimes, to take time, to rest, to give yourself space. Healing is a process that starts with feeling and going through your feelings.

STAY CONNECTED: On-going isolation is likely to hurt you more in the end. Keep in touch - even in small ways - with at least one person you can trust to respect you in these difficult times, no matter what. Use crisis support (Call/text 988) if personal supports aren't available.

IMMERSIVE SUPPORT: Many of us - especially people with mental health challenges and LGBTQ+, Black, and Brown community members - hear negative (and untrue!) messages about ourselves. Reach out to people who get you and support you, and surround yourself with them as much as possible.

SPIRITUAL CARE: Meditation, prayer, participation in faith community rituals and spirituality-oriented recovery programs can can offer us encouragement, connection, and hope.

BE PROACTIVE: If someone you love has been going through something difficult, don't hesitate or wait to reach out to them. Remind them that you are there for them always, whether they want to talk, cry, scream, or be quiet but not alone.

PRACTICE EMPATHY, GIVE GRACE: When people are suffering, we can be messy, dismissive, or otherwise difficult to be around. That may just be the best we can do at the moment. Practice empathy, and give lots of grace and understanding about how normal this is. 

KEEP REACHING OUT: Lots of people show up when a crisis is new, but support may be needed for a long time. Keep reaching out, showing up, and checking in. 

GET TRAINED IN SUICIDE PREVENTION: It's hard to talk to people about hard issues, like whether or not they feel so hopeless that they are considering suicide. It is so important to ask though. Get trained, so you can feel more comfortable and confident if/when you notice or suspect that someone in your life may be at risk.

BELONGING: Help your family members, community members, and people in your social networks to see and feel that they belong, especially when they are at their worst. This is critical for people to feel safe enough to be themselves and begin healing.

FREE, CONTINUOUS CARE: Counseling that meets a survivor's needs can be hard to find, and it can take a long time for it to be helpful. It is critical that people have on-going mental health care without worry about ability to pay. Six sessions allowed in public health insurance are not enough, and people who don't qualify for public support and can't afford useful health insurance also can't afford hundreds of $$ out of pocket every month.

INSURANCE COVERAGE: Change insurance policies to cover the full range of mental health care options, including life coaching, for the full range of mental health care needs, not just biomedical diagnoses.

WORK FLEXIBILITY: Work with employees that are struggling with their mental health to get the work-life balance right. Give grace for bad days, time off as needed (unpaid if needed but not "written up"), and compassionate support. This will help employees bring their best on good days.

WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLANS: Make this tool easily available to employees and public program participants. Normalize mental health care, and integrate it into organizational culture.

ADJUST SUCCESS MEASURES: There is a mental health crisis in this country. Put your money where your mouth is, and make sure organizational goals and employee success measures enable mental and emotional well-being.