Well-Being Wednesday: Creating A Mental Health Network

Welcome to #WellBeingWendesday number two for Mental Health Awareness Month. How did your cognitive reframes work last week? We hope it helped alleviate some of the negative thought patterns associated with stress and anxiety. This week, we'll be focusing on how to build personal networks to help navigate stressors associated with our work lives and careers, which can negatively impact our mental health and well-being. Let's get started!

When mental health challenges arise, we do not have to go at it alone. In fact, we might be able to take some insights from major corporations and businesses. A weird statement, we know, but hear us out. 

Major corporations often have a Board of Directors who advise, guide, and support the success of a company. Similarly, we can create our own personal Board of Directors. Consider your role as the CEO of your own business - your mental health. Now it's time to recruit those social supports, here’s how:

1. Assess your biggest needs - Start by listing off your five biggest needs/challenges — things that are potentially holding you back or impacting your mental health (i.e. fighting social comparison, bouts of sadness, lack of connection, etc.) 

2. Identify prospects - Once you have a good sense of your needs, think of who would support you most. Think of mentors, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or support groups. List them out. Strive for diversity in background and experiences as life often thrones us multiple curve balls. 

3. Make the ask and be specific - Once you have a diversified list of support people, reach out and be clear on how you would like to engage them. Some examples include: 

• “I am struggling with feeling like I am not enough. Can we chat?” 
• “Would you be able to send me some resources that have helped you with mental health?”
• “Can we connect over a coffee to just connect? I am feeling a bit alone.” 

4. Constantly evaluate - Our needs and desires change, and the support we need may change too. Evaluate the composition of your “board” often to determine what type of individuals will help you with your mental health. It's important that you treat your board as a dynamic entity. 

5. Map it out - Draw a large boardroom table on a sheet of paper with seats and put yourself at the head. Then start to place your mental health support board members at the other seats and reach out when needed. 

6. Stay Engaged - Find a way to remain connected with your “Board of Advisors”, even when things are going well. For example, send them a personal update. Or see how you might support them when you have capacity.  

The key to well-being is being proactive. Navigating mental health challenges is no different. So whether this is already part of your day-to-day or something that seems more in the future, taking steps now can aid you in achieving your best self. 

To learn more about our work, check out gritdigitalhealth.com or reach out to our team at [email protected].