The past year has created false and sometimes unsettling resilience that made us believe we have to live through the stress of life just to survive.  There is absolutely no reason to live by that philosophy.  With the guidance of a professional, many of these issues can be resolved and your relationship experience can be so much more fulfilling.  You don’t have to experience these things in your relationship, let alone on a regular basis.  Professional counseling does not mean you are crazy or broken or that you will need help forever.  Being able to discuss your experiences with an outside person allows you new perspectives and more options for change.  

Most of us were forced to lean into our relationships during the shutdown and it made us all take stock.  We realized that there are pieces that probably aren’t where or what we want them to be.  That doesn’t mean that it isn’t working or that it is doomed.  It just means that it is time to pause and regroup.  Leaning into it, voicing your thoughts and feelings with a professional, and finding suggestions to improve your relationships is simple.  While in the past, some of us tried to talk with friends and family about our concerns, typically that doesn’t produce the results or feedback we actually need.  Professional support is different because it is your time with an unbiased person that is listening to understand your struggles and is invested in your best interests and the success of your relationship.

Most people have begun to realize that their relationships could be better, but they have struggled with the decision to pursue counseling.  Many of us feel that we don’t need it, it isn’t that bad, or that it will all work itself out eventually.  Why wait on eventually?  A few hours with a counselor who will listen to you, get insight into your life, and then give you tools to make life better.  Why wait on that?  Why not create that for yourself right now?

Mental health is more important than ever.  We are seeing so many side effects and long term changes in people as a result of living through the first airborne pandemic in many of our lifetimes.  We are seeing more national and international studies that are expressing concerns about areas within our lives getting better and other areas getting worse.  What’s important right now is advocating for the mental well-being of you and your community.  We can’t start creating change and large scale support without starting in our own homes.

As the pandemic began to sink in during the spring of 2020, many people started to report increases in anxiety, trouble sleeping, substance use, and poor ability to cope.  It makes sense that these numbers have not been able to restabilize.  We are still watching and waiting to see what life looks like on the other side of this international catastrophe.

As mental health professionals right here in Northeast Louisiana, we are recognizing a need for mental health support like never before.  We are all so used to living with a need of survival and feelings of helplessness that we aren’t as easily able to identify when something is within our control to improve.  The mental health community, leadership individuals, and partners within Finding Solace Counseling, are coming together in order to advocate for each of you to to know how to advocate for your own mental health.

If you were struggling with your physical health, you would not (or at least should not) wait to seek help from a professional.  There is no reason for your mental health to be any different.  Whether it is a sore throat or body aches, depressed mood or feeling anxious, there are professionals there to help.