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Good mental health is something we should all strive for, regardless of whether we are afflicted by mental illness. The nature of mental health is complex, but thankfully, there are a few simple things we can do for ourselves that are low cost and easy to implement into everyday life.
As a pharmacist, I play a key role in the mental health care plan for people suffering from conditions like anxiety and depression. There are a range of medications that are used to treat to treat mental illness, and when used properly, they can provide benefits to the patients taking them. That being said, these medications are not a silver bullet, and when they are prescribed, they should be one part of a holistic approach to promoting better mental health.
Encouraging people to take time out of their day to channel their inner artistic flair has been one of my main counseling points when dealing with people suffering from conditions like anxiety and depression. Coloring can be an excellent tool for helping people cope with these conditions. Again, it’s no perfect cure, but it can really help people decompress and deal with their emotions. However, there are also other tools I like to discuss such as controlled breathing.
If you or someone you know is battling with mental health then reach out and make contact with a trusted health professional.
