It’s almost hard to believe, but we are already halfway into May.
Gosh, it feels like I’m going to blink and be in December! No, really. It is zooming by so quickly.
Earlier this week, I learned May is Mental Health Awareness
Month. The county board of supervisors were proclaiming May as MHAM during their first meeting of the month.
At that meeting, which eventually became a bit of a blur to me after sitting for 4.5 hours, the now-retired county mental health director and behavioral health deputy director, Sheila Baker, gave a speech about mental health.
It was pretty powerful and there probably wasn’t a set of hands in the room that wasn’t clapping.
Later in the meeting, she was given a proclamation for her retirement after 16 years of service in the county. The only things I have done for 16 years or more are go to school and live, lol.
When you think of the term “mental health,” the gist is emotional, psychological and social well-being.
Mental health impacts how we think, feel and act and helps determine how we handle difficult moments, make choices and relate to others.
Common examples include depression, anxiety, eating disorders and ADHD. County data says one in five adults have a mental health condition and young adults (18-25) have the highest rate of conditions (36 percent).
In Mariposa County, we have a lot of people who are very skilled at managing mental health.
Of course, I think of Baker, who I only got to do one interview with but I was astonished by her level of knowledge and care.
Another provider who comes to mind is Amy Harper, a local marriage and family therapist and owner of Evergreen Counseling.
Her business provides services including child and adolescent therapy, women’s therapy, specialty mental health services and parenting/co-parenting therapy.
Again, I was amazed at her knowledge and care.
Baker and Harper, like many others in our county, are committed to bettering mental health and well-being.
Especially with what is happening in society today, we need those dedicated folks.
But you don’t have to be a professional to be aware of mental health and help those who are in need.
I know I’m no psychologist or therapist…
One of the biggest myths I hear is that people with those conditions cannot be helped.
In fact, help from friends, family and acquaintances can make a big difference.
According to data from SAMHSA, only 20 percent of adults received any mental health treatment in the past year, which included 10 percent who received counseling or therapy from a professional, in 2020.
Anyone is in a position to help and should not feel otherwise. And helping doesn’t have to be rocket science…it can actually be very simple.
During my first real job as a courtesy clerk at Nob Hill Foods, myself and others had issues with one of the managers.
He seemed to play favorites and simply wasn’t very nice to those who weren’t perfect, which was essentially everyone outside of one girl/a former friend of mine.
Though there was no resentment toward her as she was likable, fun to work with and great at her job, people really disliked this manager.
But one week, he was out of work as his mother had passed away. When he came back, he was more sour than usual and I figured he was simply in a mood.
Well, he was having a bad time.
Someone mentioned his mom had passed and they wanted to talk to him but were not sure how.
When I was outside gathering carts, he was out there too and I said I was sorry for the loss and he was welcome to talk to me whenever.
He seemed taken aback and told me I was the only person who had even said anything. I felt so guilty in the moment, but was glad I spoke up.
Though it wasn’t the goal, he was actually a lot nicer to me after that.
Whether someone is my best friend, worst enemy or somewhere in between, they are always welcome to talk to me in times of need. I may not be able to help, but even being there to listen can go a long way.
I don’t say that to be sanctimonious or to seem like a good person. It is because I believe in treating others how I’d want to be treated.
If someone can come to me with their struggles, that’s a big deal. And if they feel they can’t, I consider that to be a failure on my part.
Unfortunately, there is a stigma in regard to asking for help. Either people don’t want it or they are ashamed.
I would simply urge everyone to reach out to someone they trust.
Most of my struggles have occurred when I have tried to keep things in, being ashamed to ask for help. And most of the time, asking for help has made it better. I hope the same can be true for people in similar positions.
There are many professionals who can help if you so desire and, if people are dealing with suicidal thoughts, they can call or text 988.
When it comes to help, there’s no shortage.
It can also be helpful to recognize the signs of someone who is struggling.
Are they threatening self-harm, not sleeping or eating, feeling anxious or simply unhappy overall?
Being kind at every given opportunity is not possible for a lot of us or maybe even anybody, so it’s hard for me to say “you have to be nice at all times.”
But at least try to think about what you say and do…when someone is struggling, kindness (or rudeness) can be the difference.
And it is key to fill your own cup. You can’t help others if you haven’t helped yourself.
Harper talked a lot about encouraging her staff to practice self-care and Baker talked about mental health at work.
Yes, you are at a job, but your wellbeing has to come first.
Outside of work, you can practice self-care and spend your time doing things you enjoy.
May is MHAM, but awareness and action can occur year-round. Don’t be a big meanie from June 1 to April 30…
Mental health concerns can happen to anyone, even those who say “that would never happen to me.”
It’s a difficult time right now, and in my eyes, it is more important than ever to create a community of comfort and support. It helps end the stigma of mental health and makes us better people overall.
Why would we ever want to do anything else?
Madison Kirkpatrick is a staff writer for the Mariposa Gazette and can be reached at madison@mariposagazette.com.
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