May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support, and help that they need.
The current COVID-19 health crisis has changed our perspective of mental health as it has made an impact you, your family and the community. It is no longer thought of as “affecting just a portion”. While “1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime”, today everyone has experienced some type of challenging symptoms such as worry, fear, isolation, depression and anxiety. Mental health has a huge impact on our physical health. Poor mental health has a strong link to chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes, heart and lung issues, auto-immune disorders and many others. Today, it is more important than ever before to nurture our mental health. Here are a few positive ways to do that:
Lois Potthoff, MS, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Trauma Professional, EMDR Consultant and Coach
- Eat healthy
- Get physical
- Go outside and visit nature
- Reduce stressors and know what you can and cannot control
- Talk to a trusted professional
Lois Potthoff, MS, LMHC, sees patients five days a week in a private office on the main level of the hospital. She specializes in trauma, attachment developmental disorders, and couples counseling. She also treats many other common issues including PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and somatic disorders.
If you or someone you know needs help or would like to learn more about how to have a positive emotional well-being, contact Lois with Touching Lives Center, LLC at Audubon County Memorial Hospital at 712-563-5304. Lois is currently seeing patients for face-to-face or through virtual therapy.