Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Abstract

Mental health is how you think, feel, act, and handle emotions. It includes your psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Your mental health affects your physical health, relationships, and ability to do daily activities. It influences how you cope with life and stress, learn and work, and make decisions. Taking care of your mental health is important for staying healthy, having good relationships, handling stress well, and adapting to change and difficult times.

If you are experiencing times of stress or loss, consider working with a mental health professional especially if you are having trouble performing your daily activities. Talk to your health care provider if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. They may recommend talk therapy and/or medication. Insurance often pays for access to therapy. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, get help right away. Go to the closest emergency room or call 911. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 available in English or Spanish.

Flesch Kincaid reading level 6.8

Approved December 2024.

This handout may be reproduced for noncommercial use by health care professionals to share with patients, but modifications to the handout are not permitted. The information and recommendations in this handout are not a substitute for health care. Consult your health care provider for information specific to you and your health.