Why is Mental Health so Important?

Mental health is a vital element to overall health. Minor disruptions in our mental wellness can affect other areas of our wellbeing. One example is sleep. When we sleep well we are better prepared for our day ahead. A poor night of sleep can create problems for us the remainder of the day, or sometimes even longer. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, insomnia or any other mental health concerns you know how difficult it can be to go about your day. Some mental health concerns can be addressed with healthy coping skills, good sleep hygiene, and productive goal setting. Other mental health concerns may need more support with psychotropic medications.

How do I know if I need medication for my mental health concern?

If your anxiety, depression, mood, worries or hallucinations are getting in the way of you functioning at your best you may be a good candidate for medication therapy. Some people respond to different medications for the same concern, so if you have a friend with depression who did well on Prozac, this does not necessarily mean this will be a good medication for you. If you have family members who have struggled with mental illness and responded well to specific medications you may respond well to the same medications. These are decisions that need to be made between you and your mental health provider.

This is a service we offer at Coastal Breeze Mental Health.

I am scared to take medication. What are the side effects?

All medications have different side effect profiles and most people do not experience any side effects at all. One medication may give you side effects while another medication may not. Just because you had a side effect to one medication does not mean you will have side effects with another medication. Most side effects are minor, while some rare side effects can be more serious. These are questions you can ask your provider and have an in depth discussion with them about your specific concerns.

What are coping skills?

A coping skill is a tool that you use to help yourself feel better when you are experiencing stress. Stress to your body can be something like anxiety or depression, or a difficult day at work. Coping skills are different for every individual and can include activities such as walking/exercising, taking a shower, calling a friend, deep breathing, journaling or meditation. Coping skills can also be different for different emotions. When you are feeling angry taking deep breaths may help you calm down. Whereas when you are feeling anxious going on a walk or run may be more helpful. If you are feeling depressed or lonely reaching out to a friend or family member may be most helpful. Our team at Coastal Breeze Mental health can help you develop coping skills for the specific struggles you are dealing with.

How do I know if I need professional help for my mental health concern?

If you have had the feeling that you aren't living the life you could, but do not know how to proceed, you may benefit from professional help. If you are having difficulties enjoying activities you used to, cannot sleep or are sleeping too much, worry about things beyond your control or if you are just feeling oof and are not sure why you may benefit from professional help. Professionals include therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and nurses. At Coastal Breeze Mental Health we have a team of Board Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioners who have many years of experience helping people manage their mental illness. We who work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. We understand that no two patients are alike, and we will take the time to discuss your history and current situation with you to figure out how we can best help you.