Everyone Has Mental Health

"Oh, I don't have any mental health problems. I don't need your help," the patient says matter-of-factly, after I introduce myself as a member of the behavioral health team. I have heard statements like this one many times from patients and their families, and while no one HAS to talk to a mental health provider, I believe everyone would benefit from doing so. Here's why . . .

Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected. Bottom line - your health is your health whether we are talking about the physical components or the mental components. Both influence one another (even if you aren't aware of it!). For example, mental health symptoms can manifest in your physical body. Headaches, digestive problems, fatigue, muscle pain/tension are just some of the symptoms one can experience as a result of mental health challenges. Additionally, when we feel bad physically, our mental state may be negatively impacted. Those who suffer from chronic pain conditions often experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use than those without these conditions.

Mental health isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have."It exists on a continuum, just like physical health. We all have mental health, and just like our bodies, our minds need care and attention to function at their best. Some days we may feel calm, focused, and connected, while other days we might feel overwhelmed, anxious, irritable, or low. These fluctuations are a normal part of being human. You don’t need to have a diagnosis to be struggling, and you don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from support.

Mental health care should also be considered preventative. Just as we go to our primary care doctors annually for a check-up or to the dentist to prevent cavities, we can also engage in mental health care to build-up our skills and resilience before things reach a crisis point. Everyone can benefit from checking-in with a non-judgemental mental health care professional to work through the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors they encounter in daily life. For a long time, receiving mental health care has been associated with "mental illness," but there are many components of mental health, including work/life balance, parenting or caregiving stress, navigating relationships, improving self-esteem, and emotional regulation skills - to name a few.

Mental health support can look very different depending on the type of provider and setting. Therapy is not just lying on a couch, talking to a stranger about your past (though this is how it is often depicted in the media). Depending on the type of mental health provider you work with - therapy can look vastly different from person to person. Here are some examples:

• Biofeedback/Neurofeedback Therapy utilizes sensors and real-time feedback for a variety of different conditions and can help to improve stress, anxiety, tension, and pain in the body.

• Art Therapy helps people utilize various art forms like painting, drawing, and sculpting to express and/or process emotions that may be more difficult to discuss verbally.

• Mindfulness-Based Therapies integrate mindfulness practices and teach skills to help individuals more effectively manage their thoughts and emotions.

Mental health providers are not there to "fix" something that is broken. Therapists are trained to walk alongside you as you navigate life's challenges, offering perspective, tools, and a compassionate space to explore what matters most to you. Our expertise lies not in giving you all the answers, but in helping you uncover your own insights, build resilience, and move toward the life you want to live. Therapy is meant to be collaborative, meaning that we work together on goals that are important to you. Whether you are working through something difficulty or simply seeking greater clarity or growth, therapy can provide a space for reflection, healing, and meaningful change.

At the end of the day, caring for your mental health is simply caring for yourself, your whole self. You don’t need to wait for a crisis or a diagnosis to check in, ask for support, or explore ways to feel more balanced and connected in your life. Mental health care can be proactive, empowering, and tailored to you. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, curious, or simply human, talking to a mental health professional can be a valuable step toward greater well-being. We all have mental health, and that means we all deserve the space and support to take care of it.