BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year marks the 75th anniversary of its observation in the United States.
Sacha Bradley, the assistant clinical director at Brazos Valley Mental Health and Wellness joined First News at Four on Wednesday and said the biggest thing to remember is to take care of yourself.
“Self-care is really important, making sure you’re eating right, exercising. If you need to take a day off, take a day off. You know, making sure you’re living to live and not living to work,” she said.
When checking in on others’ mental health, Bradley said to make sure you’re not asking surface-level questions and give people the chance to discuss deeper thoughts and feelings.
“Initially ask how are you? And they’re like, oh, I’m good. But like, OK, but how are you really? Like I noticed this and this, how are you handling that? Kind of get a little more in-depth and just allow that door for them to jump in and talk,” she said.
But ultimately, supporting other people means supporting yourself too.
“You yourself can get into therapy to better understand how to help your loved one, especially if they have a significant mental illness that can take a toll on you as well. And just making sure that you’re there for them. And you’re taking care of yourself. You don’t leave your cup empty,” she said.
For the full interview, click on the video player above.
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