Discussions of mental health have become increasingly common in recent years, maybe motivated by prominent athletes and celebrities speaking publicly about their personal struggles and then accelerated by the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemicwhich really brought mental health to the foret. People began to openly discuss issues such as isolation, loneliness and depression in a much more honest and open way. The truth is, we don’t need something like a global pandemic to recognize thism how much we need each other on a daily basisas mental health and emotional health is vital ingredientsmall of our overall well-beingalongside physical health.
Mental Health Awareness Monthwhich takes place in May each year, it was established in 1949 to raise awareness about the vital role that mental health it plays into our overall health and prosperity—Clearly, this conversation started long before COVID-19!
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources and training to support individuals and communities who may need it mental health support, so be sure to spend some time exploring this page if your clients have expressed a need or desire to address this element of their well-being. As always, be sure to respect your scope of practice and avoid getting drawn into discussions where you are providing advice. Instead, use coaching principles and special offer lifestyle change strategies.
As with physical healthmental health is vital at any age and stage of life, and for all people, regardless how they recognize. This is turned out of the weekly topics that SAMHSA established for Mental Health Awareness Month 2024which you can read more about at theirs Toolbox. Here, the topics are listed along with each week’s key message.
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Week 1: Older adults—As we grow older, we may experience changes in life effect our mental health.
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Week 2: Children and teenagers—Supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.
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Week 3: Pregnant and postpartum—Pregnancy and childbirth can be joyous and can also present a variety of intense pregnancy and postpartum emotions.
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Week 4: Tribal and Ethnic Minority Groups—Everyone deserves access to respect and culture proper care.
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Week 5: LGBTQIA+ Communities—Inclusive families, schools and communities can support LGBT mental healthQIA+ community.
This year, SAMHSA is raising behavioral health equitywhich idefined as “the right of all individuals, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or geographic location, to have access to high-quality and affordable health care services and support.“
Tthat’s where you come in...
There are two different things to consider here. First, how the services you provide as a health coach or exercise professional work positively effect your client’s mental health?
Consider the following mental health benefits of physical activity:
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Exercise increases the production of neurotransmitters, which can stimulate the production of new brain cells.
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Learning how to do new things can improve cognitive ability and mental acuity. This includes new types of movement or even new exercises.
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The sense of accomplishment and success after a workout can boost self-esteem, which has a direct impact on your mental health.
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Exercise can improve sleep, an often overlooked component of good mental health.
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Exercise can provide a very necessary break from a person’s busy routine. Many people with anxiety or depression use exercise as a positive coping mechanism.
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Exercise as part of a group –if this is in a group fitness class or in a public park—is an opportunity to connect, make friends, and feel like part of a positive and supportive community.
Hso many of these benefits you were already awardedeh from? And, thehow much you promote itsee the benefits to your customers, your website or your marketing materials? This can represent an opportunity to attract new customers or Keep the belongings that you have adopted a more holistic view of health during your partnership.
The second consideration focuses on the question of who you are reaching with your services. Are you reaching traditionally underserved communities? You meet people where they are offering lessons, training sessions or training sessions in the community, either that‘small in places of worship, public places or wherever else people are already gathering?
Ttry to think about the work you do through his lens behavioral health equity—doing so can reveal new ways to expand your reach and have even greater impact on the people and communities you serve.
