Wellness Includes Mental Health: You Are Not Alone

When we talk about wellness, it’s easy to focus on the things we can see. What we’re eating, how often we’re moving our bodies, how much we’re sleeping or how we’re caring for our physical appearances.

But wellness is more than what you can see.

Mental and emotional health are just as important as physical wellbeing. Sometimes taking care of ourselves means recognizing when we’re not okay, reaching out for support or simply reminding someone they don’t have to go through something alone.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, remembering those we've lost, and encouraging conversations about suicide and mental health.

It's an important reminder that suicide prevention isn't something we should only talk about when someone is already in crisis. It starts with awareness, checking in with others and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to say, “I'm not okay.”

And sometimes, it starts with simply asking someone, “How are you really doing?”

Mental Health is part of Personal Wellness

As a massage therapist, most of my work is naturally focused on the physical body. We talk a lot about tension, stress, aches, discomfort, and movement.

But the mind and body aren’t separate, they are integrated with one another.

Stress and anxiety can affect how we physically feel. Emotional exhaustion can manifest in the body and can make it difficult to take care of ourselves. Sometimes, our bodies are carrying way more than we realize. While I work primarily with the physical muscles and body, there is emotion behind what a massage therapist can offer clients.

Massage can’t treat or prevent suicide, depression, anxiety or other health conditions - and it isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care. But I do believe that massage helps in creating a life where we make space for our mental, physical and emotional bodies.

Wellness isn’t about being happy or healthy at all times - its about recognizing we are humans with complexities and sometimes we need support.

You Don’t Have to Have the Right Words

One of the most difficult parts of struggling with mental health can be feeling like you have to figure out everything on your own.

You don’t. You don’t have to wait until things get unbearable to ask for help, you don’t have to know exactly what to say, and you don’t have to convince yourself that because someone else has it worse, you’re not allowed to struggle.

Your feelings matter. Your story matters. YOU MATTER.

To Write Love on Her Arms

In honor of this month, I would like to shine light on an organization that is dear to me and that I believe is doing meaningful work in the mental health space: To Write Love on her Arms (TWLOHA)

TWLOHA is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people who struggle with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Their work focuses on encouraging, informing and inspiring people while also investing directly into treatment and recovery for those struggling. It’s a wonderful organization that I have had the pleasure of supporting since I was a teenager and a mission I believe in. I especially appreciate their focus on something that can sometimes get lost when talking about mental health:

Hope.

Hope doesn’t mean ignoring the pain, and certainly doesn’t mean pretending to be okay. Hope can mean that someone’s story isn’t finished yet.

That help exists, that healing is possible, and tomorrow is worth reaching.

Supporting TWLOHA

I encourage you to learn more about To Write Love on Her Arms and consider supporting their work and cause in the community.

There are many ways to get involved including donating, fundraising, sharing their resources or simply by helping spread the word that mental health is something that deserves to be talked about.

If you would like to make a donation, you can support TWLOHA directly through their website:
https://give.twloha.com/campaign/742569/donate

Even if you aren’t in a position to donate, sharing their message is still a great way to help out.

A Reminder for You

If you are struggling right now, please know you do not need to navigate this alone. You can always find support and help.

n the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24/7, and you don't have to be suicidal to reach out—you can contact 988 when you're experiencing emotional distress or simply need someone to talk to. If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

And if you're worried about someone you love, don't underestimate the importance of reaching out.

Send the text. Make the phone call. Sit with them. Ask the question. Listen.

Remind someone else they are not alone.

Mental health is wellness.
And taking care of ourselves means making space for all of it.