May is Mental Health Month

New Horizons offers Tips to Handle Daily Stress

Press Release:  May 22

What is mental health? Simply put, mental health is the ability to cope with daily life and the challenges it brings. Mental health is a continuum, with good mental health and wellness on one end, and severe, untreated mental illness on the other.

When people have "good" mental health, they deal better with what comes their way. By contrast, "poor" mental health - feeling overwhelmed by stress or suffering with an untreated mental illness - can make even day-to-day life difficult.

Poor mental health can also significantly harm a person's physical health. For instance, research shows that stress is closely linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. It also shows that people who feel depressed or are chronically stressed may have a greater risk of physical illnesses.

The good news is that there are many healthy choices individuals can adopt to promote mental health and overall health. Because the month of May is designated Mental Health Awareness Month, the staff at New Horizons offers these tips to help manage everyday stress:

Set manageable goals: The more control you have over work, the less stressed you'll feel. Be realistic in the goals you set. Make a "to do" list.

Live a healthy lifestyle: Take care of your body. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, get enough rest and exercise, and balance work with play.

Spend time with others: Good relationships with family and friends go a long way in promoting good mental health.

Take a time out: Take time to unwind. Try meditating, exercising, enjoying a hobby or talking to a friend. Do something you enjoy.

Ask for help: Ask for help with things that cause you to feel stressed. Seek help from a mental health professional if you persistently feel overwhelmed.

New Horizons of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast is the primary provider of behavioral health services for adults and children in four counties.  The main campus is located on Midway Road in St. Lucie County and there are out patient sites in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.  For information about services and programs of New Horizons call 772-468-4076.  In Okeechobee call 863-462-0040.

For additional information on mental health issues contact the National Mental Health Association, www.nmha.org or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, www.nami.org.