Recently, we have been faced with rain and flooding. Rain can be a blessing and a disaster at the same time. Good rain gives us hope for a better tomorrow: our crops grow and we look forward to the best produce. Farmers hope for the increased revenue through increased production and consumers look forward to fresh fruits and vegetables. Then comes the bad rain, the storm, that can wreak havoc in our lives: our crops are destroyed, property is destroyed, and we incur losses that we never would have imagined. Life is full of twists and turns, with several unknowns and it is important to consider the highs and lows and how we can support ourselves and each other.
When things are good we are all happy, excited, and thankful. However, when things go wrong, we become sad, depressed, and our mood is somber. This is human nature and our mood responds to the situations happening in our lives. When I am facing hard times, such as things not going my way or when I face many unknowns and tomorrow seems far away, I tend to grasp onto the small things that are okay. Trust me, I know it is difficult to see anything going well when you are facing loss of any kind, but if you look closely, there are always one or two things that are good, even in the middle of the storm.
Sometimes, it is as simple as the fact that you are alive, which means you have a chance to fight. I call it counting my blessings amid the storm. What is the one thing that you can count on at this time? What is the thing that makes you want to face tomorrow head on? What is it that makes you want to fight for more time or more opportunities or one more chance? Being thankful for those good things is vital. Parents, check in with your children, youth and young adults. They may be suffering silently, so talk with them and find out how they are doing.
Here are some reminders for everyone to best support their mental health and those of loved ones:
- Keep a positive mindset
- Take deep breaths as much as you can
- Get out and get some fresh air
- Talk to a friend (it is therapeutic!)
- Give yourself some love/self-love
- Take a shower or a bath
- Take a minute to care for yourself
- Be kind to yourself and others
- Say some good things to yourself, such as ‘I am strong, I am capable, I can do this…’
- Seek help from mental health professionals, if needed
There are several resources that can help as you navigate through our current storms and flooding, as well as any other storms of life:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7, chat available at 988lifeline.org)
- Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline: Call 833-600-2670, or text FARMSTRESS to 898211. (available 24/7, additional resources available at www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741, o texto AYUDA al 741741 (available 24/7)
- Southwestern Mental Health 24/7 and Mobile Crisis Line: Call 1-800-642-1525 (available 24/7)
- Mental Health Services and the Mental Health Walk-In Clinic at Windom Area Health: Call 507-831-0601 to learn more
As the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger,” so let us come together to lift each other up in support so we can emerge even stronger than before. Keeping your mental health maintained is crucial during this time of shared challenge. As we recover from the storms, see the damages, and work on ways to reclaim our lives, we need to take care of our mental health in order to make clear decisions. Windom Area Health and its Mental Health team are with you in the hardship that our communities are facing. We want our town and our surrounding areas to know that we are here to support them, their families, and the entire region affected by the flooding.
By Tabitha Bosire, DNP, FNP, PMHNP, APRN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
References
https://mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health
https://www.uwhealth.org/news/surprising-benefit-going-through-difficult-times