What can you do on your own?
As human beings, we all fall somewhere on the mental health spectrum, ranging from strong mental wellness to severe mental illness. Chances are we’ll move across this continuum throughout the course of our lives. If you’re feeling like professional help isn’t the best option, but some extra support might be helpful, there are a variety of things you can do on your own to get your mental health to where you want it to be.
Practice Mindfulness
Studies continually find correlations between meditation and potential health benefits, but we do know that it’s been shown to reduce stress, help people sleep and have a better appreciation for the present moment. Ten minutes of meditation, each day for just two weeks can help to increase mood and mindfulness.
Try these recommended mindfulness apps
Self-guided cognitive behavioral workbooks
Arguably the “gold standard” of psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. CBT focuses on the ways in which our thoughts impact our emotions and behaviors, and how we can begin to shift the way we think to experience a more fulfilling and satisfying life. While working with a CBT therapist might be the best option for you, these self-guided CBT workbooks provide psycho-education and teach individuals about different techniques that can be practiced independently.
The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behavioral Solution
By David A. Clark, Aaron T. Beck
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program
By William J. Knaus, Albert Ellis
How To Be Happy
Most people want to be happy, yet many people struggle to find that happiness. Dr. Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale University, teaches “Psychology and the Good Life”, the most popular class in Yale’s history. Dr. Santos’ insights into how to be happy include notions such as having more control over happiness than we think, recognizing when our minds are lying to us, and how helping others can increase our own levels of happiness. In an effort to extend her expertise on happiness beyond the walls of Yale, Dr. Santos offers an online course to the general public called “The Science of Well-Being”.
When Professional Help Is Needed
Not all mental health issues require the help of a professional, but sometimes the things we try on our own don’t work as well as we hope and it’s necessary to seek out additional support. Below are mental health service facilities available at SCL Health. SCL Health also offers integrated behavioral health services at several of our major clinics. Remember it's ok to ask your primary care provider about your mental health symptoms.
This SCL Health facility offers complete behavioral health services for people experiencing addiction, substance use and mental health conditions. Their holistic approach to treatment focuses on physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Brad Sjostrom, LCSW, MAC, West Pines Behavioral Health, Addiction Services Manager
On the importance of seeking treatment and how he’s seen treatment work for individuals:
"Behavioral health disorders are similar to other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. A person can manage with ongoing treatment and radical lifestyle changes. The diagnosis and severity of the disorder determines the level and intensity of care needed. Early recognition and intervention is ideal; however, often people reach a crisis point before they seek help. Addictive disorders and psychiatric conditions are treatable. People do get better. The caveat is that for both, a person needs lifelong support and vigilance: for moderate to severe addictions, a person will need to achieve a level of abstinence; for a moderate to severe psychiatric condition, a person will need to remain on medication. West Pines has had thousands of patients who have come through both our behavioral health and addiction programs and have gone on to flourish."
Addiction and Substance Use Services:
- Medical Detoxification
- Residential Treatment at The Recovery Center
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Addiction Aftercare
- Recovery Nurse Advocate Program
Mental Health Services and Treatments:
-
Inpatient Care Stabilization
- Partial Hospitalization
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Medication Management Clinic
- Senior Behavioral Health Care
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Other Services:
- Psychiatric care
- Classes and groups
For more information:
West Pines Behavioral Health
3400 Lutheran Parkway
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
303.467.4000
Our Billings, Montana location offers comprehensive behavioral health services for people of all ages. Our team cares for people with addiction and mental health conditions, as well as people with dual diagnoses – more than one condition that requires behavioral health treatment.
Services we offer at St. Vincent Physicians Behavioral Health Clinic include consultations, counseling, couples therapy, EAP services, family therapy, neuropsychological and psychological assessments, play therapy, as well as psychotherapy for many of the below conditions:
- Addictive illnesses/tobacco use
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Life or workplace stress
- Marital or family issues
- Parent/child issues
- Traumatic experience
- Weight management
For more information:
SCL Health Medical Group - Billings Behavioral Health
2900 12th Ave N Ste 280W
Billings, MT 59101
406.237.3585
Serving children who have experienced the trauma of long-term physical abuse, sexual abuse, chronic neglect, or mental illness, Mount Saint Vincent is the Rocky Mountain region’s premier provider of mental health treatment, foster care services, preschool through eighth grade education, and trauma-informed training — all focused on children and their families.
Services:
- Short-term stabilization
- Foster care
- In-home therapy
- Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) assessments
- Residential treatment
- Day treatment
- K-8 school
- Early learning center
For more information:
Mount Saint Vincent
4159 Lowell Blvd
Denver, CO 80211
303.458.7220
