Managing a Mental Health Crisis

I have many criticisms about how we handle mental health care in this country (or more accurately, don’t), but it’s not enough for me just to be critical. I want to offer some practical tips for getting through a mental health crisis.

This list details the steps I took to recover from severe depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in 2017, though it is not complete. Please note that some or all of these ideas may not work for you, and that’s ok. I encourage you to keep searching until you find what does work, because we need you here:

1. I admitted to my family and then my doctors how dark my thoughts had become. This was the hardest thing I have ever done, by the way.

2. I listened to my body, and with the help of my doctors weaned off all prescription psychiatric medication except for medical cannabis.

3. I sought professional help and followed through on all recommendations including a two week partial hospitalization program, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for emotional dysregulation, family, group, and individual talk therapy 

4. I practiced yoga with a tribe of people who were happy to see me no matter what mood I was in, and quick to give me a hug I didn’t know I needed.

5. I identified toxic relationships and ended them one by one.

6. I stopped drinking alcohol as my primary form of stress relief. I still imbibe occasionally; restriction always backfires for me (because I’m human).

7. I got really clear on my NEEDS (not wants) and was uncompromising no matter how inconvenienced others felt or the consequences that I incurred.

8. I stopped pretending to the outside world that I was perfect and accepted help in many forms.

I hope this help finds you if you need it. Sending you all my love and strength, brave ones. 🙏🏻❤️