Mental health concerns are very common. It can be depression, or anxiety, or stress, or grief, or substance abuse, or anything else. Regardless, the basic treatment suggestions are the same.

My 3 Pillars of Mental Health in 3 minutes!

I describe Mental health advice into broken down into “3 Pillars of Mental Health Treatment”, in this order of priority:

This is absolutely the most important. Whether it be formal one-on-one counselling, or self-directed online help. Seeking counselling from a expert resources is crucial.

COUNSELLING: Visit Here to check all of the local counselling and support options.

RELXATION: Visit Here for relaxation tips and how to deal with stress.

CBT: You may also want to Visit Here to read about some basic “CBT” techniques that can be very helpful.

These are areas that are often over-looked, but are very important to your mental health.

Make sure you are getting at least a little bit of exercise each day. Even a 15 minute slow walk outside can help. Try to eat as healthy as you can. Ensure your sleep habits are healthy. Make sure you are devoting time to  socialize with family and friends.

Visit Here for more information on these suggestions.

It is truly important is to avoid alcohol and drugs. While they may sometimes help you feel temporarily better, they make things worse. Visit Here for more information on Substance Use and Addictions.

Medications can play a role for some people, but note that they are not the most important. There is often no hurry to jump to taking medications. First, ensure you are following the above advice for Pillars #1 and #2 (Counselling, Relaxation, and Healthy Lifestyle).

Visit Here for information about medications for mental health.