New Steps Behavioral Health

A trigger is something that sets off a series of events. Triggers activate intense feelings, thoughts, and actions. When certain psychological triggers are activated it will force a very predictable behavior and all other cognitive, visual, and sensory information is ignored.

The key to learning how to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are:

1) Become an expert scientist on what triggers you

2) Learn to master your psychological triggers

3) Communicate this new information to your friends, families and coworkers

4) Remind your tribe that you are learning to not be “activated” when you are triggered

5) Ask for forgiveness when you are triggered

6) Search for solutions to reduce the likelihood that you will be triggered

If you’re struggling, the NAMI HelpLine has created a directory of warmlines, you can call. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/BlogImageArchive/2020/NAMI-National-HelpLine-WarmLine-Directory-3-11-20.pdf

nami.org

These numbers are only a few of the reasons why it’s important to take part in
promoting mental health awareness every day.

• 55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist.*

• 3.8% of U.S. adults experienced both mental illness and a substance use disorder in 2019 (9.5 million people).*

• Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every
8 emergency department visits by a U.S. adult (estimated 12 million visits).

• 37% of adults incarcerated in the state and federal prison system have a
diagnosed mental illness.

• 70.4% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness.

• 41% of Veteran’s Health Administration patients have a diagnosed mental
illness or substance use disorder.



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Comment, like, share, raise awareness about the importance of mental health care.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Isolation during COVID has increased the importance of finding ways to practice self-care and connect with our family and friends from afar. This month, New Steps is amplifying the National Alliance on Mental Illness message "You Are Not Alone." Let's use this time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and
acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay.

We’re dealing with a lot right now. Don’t deal with it alone. Call the United Way 2-1-1 line today between 4 and 7 p.m. and speak with a professional who can help you with healthy coping strategies.

And tune in, also, to my interview with SyKnese Fields about the mental health stigma in the Black community and the need for more Black therapists. Like, share, comment, let’s start the conversation.
✊🏾

It's been a stressful time and many of you have experienced grief and loss. On Tuesday at 4pm we are opening up the phone lines so you can talk to an expert who will listen and offer ways to cope and help you heal. All you need to do is call. We will make the number available tomorrow afternoon.
(The effort is free.)