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Healthy Coping 

Therapist

Professional Help

Recognizing the need for help is the first step.  What kind of help can be an overwhelming decision.  One source of help is through a professional.  Trying to decide on which professional will be the most beneficial can be a challenge in itself.  Understanding the dynamics of each professional will help you on your journey to helping your overall well-being.  Types of Mental Health Professionals (Wolters, 2025) provides an in-depth look at professionals in the mental health community, listed below:

  • Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can offer biological and psychological treatments.  Psychiatrists can prescribe medication-based therapies, offer talk therapy, psychotherapy, or collaborate with other experts to provide the best patient care.

  • Psychotherapists have a medical degree, but generally are not permitted to prescribe medication.  Psychotherapists offer treatments that support a patient's mental and emotional well-being and may specialize in specific methods or techniques.       

  • Psychologists are typically doctors who are highly educated in human behavior.  Some psychologists work with patients in clinical or counseling psychology and can offer psychotherapy.  Psychologists can provide psychological treatments, but can not prescribe medications.

  • Counselors have a high degree of education and experience in the field.  They can help individuals traverse life's obstacles, such as new surroundings, juggling responsibilities, coping with anxiety, and addressing relationship issues.

  • Social workers are mental health professionals with a higher degree of education.  Social workers are generally trained to perform psychotherapy that focuses on social and community support.   

Having a basic understanding of different mental health professionals is essential, as is understanding what they can offer.  The T and C Psychiatric Services has provided a basic knowledge of what services are available, listed below: 

  • Therapy and/or counseling.  This service helps you understand your thoughts and emotions and develop strategies to address challenges and obstacles in life.  Some common types of therapy include individual, group, and family or couples therapy. 

  • Psychiatric services.  These services involve a psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing follow-up appointments to monitor progress. 

  • Support groups.  Support groups can also be helpful for those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, as well as anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery.  Support groups bring together people experiencing similar issues. 

  • Crisis support services.  For those experiencing an urgent situation, crisis support services are available.  These services generally include hotlines/helplines, mobile units, and emergency services. 

  • Online services.  Technology has enabled more people to access the services they need.  These services offer greater convenience, reduced stigma, and greater comfort.  The online services involve telepsychiatry and online therapy with licensed professionals.   

  • Community support.  Community support doesn't always include professional or formal treatment, but can be beneficial.  These services can include wellness programs, community outreach organizations, and peer support groups. 

If you are still struggling to find the appropriate help for your experiences, you can consult your primary care physician for more information.        ​​

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Some professionals can come in different forms.  Experiencing financial and retirement obstacles can possibly lead you down a different path.  Consulting with a financial adviser could be the professional help necessary to get you into a more financially stable position.  This may be as simple as setting up a meeting with the designee of your retirement fund.  Other times, you may have to find a financial adviser in the private sector.  An article by Laura Gariepy (2025) lists some steps to take when finding a financial advisor:

  • Understand your needs

  • Check with family or friends in a similar situation

  • Verify their credentials 

  • Understand their expertise and abilities 

  • Interview multiple professionals       

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Elder Woman Meditating

Spiritual Help 

Spirituality can mean different things to different people.  It is often defined as a search for purpose or meaning and usually involves a connection to God or a higher power, but can also affect a connection with others. (Watson, 2022).  Studies have shown that people who practice spiritual connections have lower rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. (Watson, 2022). 

Practicing spirituality can take many forms.  Some of the more common forms have been identified as:

  • Mental revisioning

  • Spending time in nature

  • Attending spiritual gatherings

  • Reading spiritual texts 

  • Finding a spiritual director

  • Participating in online or in-person group discussions

  • Meditating

(Watson, 2022).

Spiritual help can also include reaching out to your church or the local church of your faith.  Studies have shown that prayer and meditation can reduce an individual's level of anxiety and depression. (Universal Life Church, 2023).  Belief in a higher power and forgiveness have been linked to improved mental health.  The church can provide spiritual guidance, a sense of community, and help with finding groups with similar interests.  

 

Spirituality or religious help does not replace any professional mental health care. (Universal Life Church, 2023).  Spirituality is meant to be a tool to help anyone experiencing mental health trauma.  For further information about spirituality, visit your local bookstore or library.   

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Man Doing Pushups

At Home Help

Finding ways on your own to help with different emotional feelings is possible.  One of the more common forms is exercise.  Finding ways to include movement or exercise in an individual's routine can help release endorphins, natural brain chemicals that help reduce stress, increase happiness, and reduce feelings of pain. (Wisner, 2025).  The challenge can be finding the motivation to exercise.  One key is finding an activity that is both manageable and enjoyable.  Some of the benefits of regular exercise have been shown to: 

  • Lower depression and anxiety, which are two of the most common mental health conditions.   

  • Improved sleep quality has been shown to result from regular exercise and can improve an individual's well-being.

  •  Managing substance abuse can be a difficult task.  Exercise can help curb cravings and has helped address issues from alcoholism, such as high blood pressure and heart issues. 

 (Wisner, 2025).

There are some simple steps to help overcome barriers to exercise, such as motivation, time constraints, and anxiety.   The big thing is to start gradually and not overwhelm yourself.  Start with something simple and gradually increase the time you spend on your exercise or activity.  Set a goal and find an activity or exercise you enjoy and look forward to. (Wisner, 2025).

Some helpful tips to overcome common barriers are:

  • Sharing your exercise or activity with family and friends

  • Make your activity part of your social plans, such as a bowling league, biking group, or softball team.

  • Join a gym or a club.  There are several walking, hiking, and exercise groups and clubs available. 

  • Plan your activity when you have the most energy in the day.

  • Don't compare yourself to others.

(Wisner, 2025).

Some of the most beneficial activities include aerobic exercise, strength training, yoga, and group sports. (Wisner, 2025). Different activities and groups can be found through local resources such as community centers, church groups, gyms, and online.  Additionally, phone apps are available to help you through your journey or serve as a motivational tool. 

 

Dieting is another form of curbing different emotional or mental health challenges.  A common misconception about dieting is that it always involves eating less.  Dieting should be viewed as eating a better balance of vegetables and nutrients, which will boost an individual's mood and well-being. (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).  Here are some helpful tips provided by the Mental Health Foundation on eating better: 

  • Eating regularly can help prevent blood sugar levels from dropping and causing tiredness or mood swings. 

  • Staying hydrated helps combat mood swings, improve energy levels, and enhance one's ability to concentrate.

  • Eating the right balance of fats can help support proper brain function.  Avoiding processed or packaged foods can help with your heart health and mood stability. 

  • Eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will help provide your brain and body with what is necessary to stay healthy.     

  • Including some protein in every meal helps your brain regulate your mood. 

Eating meals with friends and family has been shown to have psychological, social, and biological benefits for the human body. (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).

Unfortunately, food has been found to be used as a coping mechanism as well.  This can result in different eating disorders. (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).  Also, avoiding habits such as cigarettes or excessive drinking will significantly impact your overall well-being.       

Overall, healthier eating and exercise can have a considerable impact on your well-being and mental health.  These are meant to be a tool to assist with battling mental health issues.  They are not meant to replace any current professional mental health care.  For more information about healthy eating and exercise, please visit your local community centers, gyms, or online services.       

 

 

 

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