I am no stranger to the topic of self-care; I advocate for sustained wellness, open conversations, and, more than anything, grace. The pressure to be anything and everything is a mighty weight to bare, and if you’re reading this – I want you to know you are not alone. Today, I’ve partnered with Beacon Health Options to provide a resource, a place of understanding and a moment of action for my friends who need it.
Sometimes wellness goes beyond the food, the fitness, or the travel (I know, I said it!). Sometimes we need more tools to make it through the day, the week, or the year. And Beacon Health Options has staff trained to do exactly that. I hope this post provides a little light and a comforting nudge if you’re in need today.
Beacon Health Options
Guest post provided by Beacon Health Options
When we think of “health & wellness” or “self-care,” more often than not we think about the foods we eat, an annual doctor visit and how often we should be going to the gym. What we often overlook is mental health.
Mental health – often referred to as behavioral health – encompasses everything from anxiety/stress, depression, autism, and post-traumatic stress, to attention deficit hyperactivity, eating, bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders, to opioid or alcohol abuse, psychosis and more. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness affects nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (that’s approximately 46.6 million people) only 41% of which received mental health services last year. That number is too low; especially with “burnout” becoming so prevalent that it is now being recognized as a diagnosable syndrome by the World Health Organization. The need for mental health support and professional resources in our country is higher than ever. That is where Beacon Health Options comes in.
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy and bright light therapy, is a therapy used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. Primarily, it’s used to treat a common type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is also known as the winter blues or seasonal depression. Circadian Optics recommend use Light therapy, it may also be helpful as a therapy for other forms of depression, sleep disorders, or other conditions.
Washington Crisis Services
For more than 30 years, Beacon has changed the way people live with mental health conditions, becoming the undisputed leader in mental health management and currently serving approximately 40 million people across all 50 states. In addition to the 70+ physical health service locations across the U.S., Beacon offers a free, 24/7 crisis line here in Washington State that can be used not only for urgent mental health situations (i.e. someone talking about harming themselves or others, acting recklessly or violently, hallucinations, delusions, substance abuse, etc.), but also can be used for more routine mental health services, such as looking for a referral to a nearby mental health professional.
This alternative to 911 is a free, convenient resource for friends, family or even yourself to use in moments that you may need help dealing with the struggles of anxiety, depression, chronic stress and more in our day-to-day lives. Use of the crisis line can not only free up 911 resources for more immediate emergency and medical situations, but also ensures callers are connected to trained professionals. Police are not necessarily the best equipped to deal with mental health crises and in some cases may escalate the situation due to lack of training. The individualized, trained counseling care that the crisis line provides can help individuals avoid unnecessary trips to (and exuberant costs of) the local emergency department.
This is an especially critical resource going into the new school year when kids, parents, and educators are all under immense pressure and stress from busy schedules.
Free, 24/7 Crisis Line
Beacon is on a mission to help people live their lives to the fullest potential, so if you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, or if you just want to chat with a counselor to learn more about where to get started on your mental health journey; call the crisis line in your region to use this free, 24/7 service. And remember, our ability to support families, partners, friends and our community starts with your own health.
Beacon Crisis Lines –
- Pierce County Washington: 1-800-567-7764
- North Central Washington: 1-800-852-2923
- Southwest Washington: 1-800-626-8137
XoXo Portia
Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Beacon Health Options. The opinions expressed here represent my own, which I take great pride in providing pure honesty…because I’m OBSESSED with sharing the Good!