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Transcript

Practical Steps for Daily Mental Health · Talking FACS

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  Welcome to Talking FACS, what you need to know about family,
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  food, finance, and fitness.
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  This nationally recognized, award-winning podcast is hosted by the University
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  of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program.
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  Our educators share research knowledge with individuals, families,
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  and communities to improve quality of life.
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  As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, we need to remember that focusing
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  on our mental health should happen every day.
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  Welcome to Talking FACS. I am your host, Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist
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  for Instructional Support.
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  My guest is Dr. Natese Dockery, Assistant Clinical Professor and Extension Specialist
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  for Mental Health and Well-Being.
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  First, Natese, why is Mental Health Awareness Month important?
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  Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to focus on understanding mental health and reducing stigma.
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  Mental health affects how we think, feel, and respond to everyday situations.
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  It's something everyone experiences, and it can change over time.
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  Even though mental health is important, it's not always talked about openly or clearly understood.
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  This month provides us an opportunity to increase awareness,
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  learn more about mental health, and support others.
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  Building understanding can help create more open conversations and also encourage
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  people to seek the support that they need.
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  You mentioned reducing stigma. How can we do that?
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  Stigma around mental health can make it harder for people to talk about what
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  they're going through or reach out for help.
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  A lot of that actually comes from not fully understanding mental health or what mental disorders are.
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  When people learn more, it can help clear up some of those misunderstandings.
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  Talking about mental health more openly can also make a difference.
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  It helps really normalize something that many people experience but may not always talk about.
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  The language we use matters too.
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  Simple changes in how we talk about mental health can really help create a more
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  supportive environment.
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  Even small things like showing kindness and being supportive can make it easier
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  for someone to speak up or ask for help.
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  Natese, I know that stress is something that really causes mental health issues for a lot of people.
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  So what are some ways that we can recognize signs of stress?
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  Recognizing the signs of stress is an important step toward managing it.
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  Stress may show up in how a person feels, such as becoming easily irritated,
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  feeling overwhelmed, or having a hard time relaxing.
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  It can also affect how a person thinks.
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  Some people may notice difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts,
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  or just feeling mentally drained. Changes in behavior are also common.
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  Some individuals may withdraw from social activities, experience changes in
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  sleep, or just find it harder to stay motivated.
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  Everyone experiences stress differently, but paying attention to these signs
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  can help individuals recognize when stress may be affecting their well-being
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  and when it may be helpful to use coping strategies or even seek support from
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  mental health professionals.
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  Once we learn to recognize stress, what are some steps that we can take to manage it?
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  Managing stress isn't just about what you do in the moment.
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  It's also about the habits you build into your daily routine.
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  One helpful approach is creating small, consistent routines. Having regular times for sleep,
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  meals, and breaks can provide structure and help reduce
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  daily stress. It can also be helpful to plan ahead
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  for stressful times Identifying what tends to cause stress and thinking through
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  how to respond can make those situations feel a little bit more manageable. Limiting
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  constant exposure to things such as non-stop notifications or packed schedules
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  can also support mental well-being Building healthy stress management habits takes time,
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  but small consistent changes can help create a more manageable and also balanced day.
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  As much as kids look forward to summer vacation, I know that it can be a stressful
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  time for parents and those who are providing care for kids.
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  While summer can be exciting, it can also mean juggling work,
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  child care, summer activities, and everyday responsibilities.
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  For caregivers, that change in routine can feel stressful.
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  During these busy seasons, it is important to remember that your mental health
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  matters too. This might mean lowering your expectations, creating a simple daily
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  routine, or even just taking a few minutes each day to recharge.
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  Summer does not have to be perfect. Taking care of yourself can help you feel
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  more patient, more present, and better able to support the people who depend
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  on you. So I want you to reflect.
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  What is one way you can make space for your own well-being this summer.
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  Oh, gosh, Natese, that's quite a challenge. But let's think for a minute.
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  I believe that I am going to say that I'm going to take time to exercise every
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  day because I know that's important for my physical health.
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  And as we have talked so frequently on the Mental Health Minute,
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  it is important for my mental health as well.
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  Natiese, as we wrap up, do you have any last thoughts that you want to share with our listeners?
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  So this May and beyond, I want you all to take small steps to create more open,
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  supportive conversations around mental health. Let's end the stigma.
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  Oh, I think that's perfect. And I mentioned briefly the Mental Health Minute.
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  If you aren't aware, Natese is the host of that video show that happens every
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  week, and you can find it on our YouTube channel. So check the link in the show
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  notes to go find the Mental Health Minute.
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  Family and Consumer Sciences Extension presents Talking FACS,
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  and we are in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food 00:05:57.532 --> 00:05:59.852 and Environment at the University of Kentucky.
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  Thank you for listening to Talking FACS.
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  We deliver programs focusing on nutrition, health, resource management,
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  family development, and civic engagement.
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  If you enjoyed today's podcast, have a question or a show topic idea,
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  leave a like and a comment on Facebook at UKFCSEXT or send us an email at UKFCSEXT@UKY.EDU.
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  Visit us online at fcs.uky.edu to learn more about the University of Kentucky
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  Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program or contact your local Extension
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  agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
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  We build strong families. We build Kentucky. It starts with us.