If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you are not alone.
One in 5 American adults experiences some form of mental illness in any given year. As with other serious illnesses, mental illness is not your fault or that of the people around you.
Having a mental health condition can make it a struggle to work, keep up with school, stick to a regular schedule, have healthy relationships, socialize, maintain hygiene, and more.
However, with early and consistent treatment, it is possible to manage these conditions, overcome challenges, and lead a meaningful, productive life.
If, at any point, you feel like you are not making progress or your mental health condition is worsening, don’t ignore the feeling. You have every right to speak up. Please reach out to your health care provider or someone you trust who can help you.
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SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals who experience mental health and substance use conditions improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
Hope -- the belief that these challenges and conditions can be overcome -- is the foundation of recovery. A person’s recovery is built on their strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values. It is holistic, addresses the whole person and their community, and is supported by peers, friends, and family members.
The process of recovery is highly personal and occurs via many pathways. It may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other approaches.
Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness and managing setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience is a key component of recovery.
Learn more about what it means to be in recovery, the four major dimensions that support a life in recovery, and the 10 guiding principles of recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders.
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In addition to working with your health care provider on your treatment plan, there are things you can do that can help you feel better as you work toward your recovery and mental health goals.
Learn as much as you can from a reputable sources about mental health wellness and information specific to your diagnosed mental health condition.
Having a better understanding of what you're experiencing can be a good step toward finding effective treatment that can reduce or eliminate your symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
Education can also help your loved ones be more supportive and compassionate.
Learn about Mental Health Conditions and Related Components
NAMI.org, your health care provider, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov), and the National Institute for Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) are also trusted sources for information.
When you are directly involved in designing your own treatment plan, including defining recovery and wellness goals, choosing services that support you and evaluating treatment decisions and progress, it can improve your experience of care and outcome.
Work together with your mental health care provider to make informed decisions and to develop the right treatment plan for you. Don’t stop going to therapy or taking medication without a doctor’s guidance. Work with your health care provider to safely adjust doses or medication if needed.
Learn about Treatment Options for Mental Health Conditions
Taking care of yourself is healing yourself. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Take time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy.
Self-care is different for everyone, so you may have to try a few things to find what works best for you.
Build a support system of people who can provide emotional support and practical help. Connecting and talking with others is important for mental health.
WRAP is Wellness Recovery Action Plan, a simple and powerful process for creating the life and wellness you want. With WRAP, you can:
The WRAP process supports you to identify the tools that keep you well and create action plans to put them into practice in your everyday life. All along the way, WRAP helps you incorporate key recovery concepts and wellness tools into your plans and your life.
Learn more about WRAP
If you feel like you are not making progress or your mental health condition is worsening, don’t ignore the feeling.
If you are following a treatment plan, call your mental health care provider and explain the situation. Don’t be afraid to speak openly and honestly about what is and isn’t working with your treatment plan. You may need a change to a medication or to your treatment plan.
If you don’t have a mental health care provider, make an urgent appointment with a primary care physician -- just as you would for the flu or an infection -- so you can get professional support quickly.
Think about what has helped stabilize you in the past. Would it help to talk to a friend? To meditate or take a nap? To exercise or go for a walk? Take action to help yourself, even if you doubt it will work. Doubt and feelings of helplessness can be symptoms of the mental health condition. Do something that might make you feel better and observe how you feel afterwards.
Remember that you are not alone. Talk to your health care provider, talk to your spouse, partner, parents or a supportive friend -- tell someone. Get help now
In crisis? Call or text 988. For non-emergency guidance, contact the NAMI Jacksonville Helpline: 904-323-4723 or email Helpline@namijax.org
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