For as long as I can remember I have had a desire to help people. Initially, I believed the best way I could help people was to help their physical health; however, through my healthcare career, I found mental health was being woefully under-treated. Treating people involves treating the whole person, body, and mind. My resolve to help with mental health was solidified while working in the emergency department and seeing the need repeatedly being ignored. So many people could avoid the emergency room altogether if they sought out outpatient psychiatric care sooner, instead of waiting until it is a crisis to get help and support. Not only is it easier to recover from issues when they are dealt with early, but it's also far less expensive and less traumatic than having to go to an in-patient facility.
I have had many struggles in my life that I have had to overcome. Many of them I would not have been able to overcome with the support of a therapist and close trusting relationships. Because of these struggles, I know how important it is to meet people where they are and not try to force too many changes too quickly. Everyone can thrive, but growth takes time. One of the advantages of going to outpatient psychiatric care at a place like Axis Integrated Mental Health is affordability and accessibility. Nearly all services are covered by insurance. You can go at your own pace and we can meet you where you are and work at the pace you're comfortable with.
Axis Integrated Mental Health is one of the top providers of Spravato and ketamine therapies in Colorado. I would like to see more rigorous research in psychedelic-assisted therapies. I would also like to see more research involving veteran reintegration into civilian life and the steps that can be taken to ease that transition.
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You don't have to start outpatient psychiatric care to begin taking care of your mental health. Box breathing is incredibly effective! It’s so simple and can be done anywhere.
Establishing healthy boundaries is fundamental for everyone to maintain mental health. Learning how to clearly communicate needs, limits, and expectations with others in a respectful manner can be all someone needs to upgrade their life immediately. A couple other things I would suggest:
- Learning to say no without guilt when necessary and prioritizing well-being
- Recognizing and respecting the boundaries of others
- Rostering mutual understanding and respect in relationships
- Practicing self-awareness to identify when boundaries are being crossed and take proactive steps to address them
- Prioritizing self-care and allocating time for activities that recharge and replenish energy
- Seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist when navigating challenging boundary-setting situations
Sleep hygiene is also key. Some tips and tricks that everyone can try:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends
- Creating a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down
- Limiting exposure to screens and bright lights before bed as they can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle
- Cultivating a comfortable sleep environment with a cool, dark, and quiet room
- Avoiding heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime
- Engaging in regular physical activity, but not too close to bedtime
- Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness meditation.
These practices can promote restful sleep and contribute to overall mental health and well-being. If sleep issues persist, consider getting a sleep study done to identify the issues. Sometimes, sleep apnea or other issues can be a culprit that can be easily fixed with a dental device or CPAP machine.
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