Although it may come as a disappointment, there’s no such thing as a “cure” for mental health struggles. Depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem issues, difficulties related to past trauma, substance use, and more very rarely just go away forever.
A much better understanding of mental health is presented to us in the spectrum model pictured above.
Throughout your life, you will experience times of both mental illness and mental wellness, depending upon a number of varying influences, including but not limited to: your education quality and access, your healthcare quality and access, your neighborhood and built environment, your social and cultural context, your economic status, your genetics, your past traumatic experiences, and your health-related behaviors and choices.
Depending on the resources we have available to us, some of us spend more time in our life on the wellness side of the spectrum, and some of us spend more time in our life on the illness side of the spectrum. However, nobody is stuck to one side or can transition to the other without movement for the entirety of their lives. There will always be back-and-forth motion. Mental health is a life-long journey!
Thankfully, there are numerous resources right here in Hendricks County that can help you work through the difficulties of experiencing the illness side of the spectrum, and can empower you to spend more time on the wellness side of the spectrum. A great place to start is by checking out the Hendricks County Health Partnership’s online community resource guide: www.hendrickshealthpartnership.org/resources.
Experiencing more frequent feelings of mental wellness takes a lot of hard work and discipline, and requires the support of others. But it’s not impossible! By sticking together, by continuing to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use, and by reaching out for help when we need it – the whole world could experience more mental wellness. If you or someone you know needs support today, please reach out to The Willow Center at 317-852-3690.
Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
