The Mental Health Connection
It’s February—the month of hearts, flowers and chocolate.
As mental healthcare providers, we need to be aware of the impact of Valentine’s Day on our patients—especially those with relationship issues and depression. It can be a time of romance and love for some, but many see it as a time to emphasize how lonely or alone they are. In fact, relationship issues are among the significant causes of suicide. Children who commit suicide often experience relationship issues with family members, while adolescents' problems with romantic partners are often the cause of suicide.
It’s appropriate that February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Read more below.
Annette Conway, PsyD
CEO and President
Help Therapy
February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Mental Wellness Month International Boost Self-Esteem Month
February is the designated time of year to focus on believing in and appreciating ourselves more. When we have high self-esteem and learn to love ourselves, we can better help and support others and ourselves.
Here are a few ways to boost your self-esteem.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
This observance aims to break the cycle of violence by providing support and services to victims and their families. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Program is working to bring visibility to this issue by hosting social media events and webinars throughout the month.
Learn more here.
Is Telehealth Therapy Replacing In-Person Therapy? A study published in JAMA Health Forum, based on data for more than 5.1 million adults with private health insurance, found that the use of telehealth for common mental health issues increased 16 to 20 times during the first year of the pandemic. The study also found that telehealth usage increased the most for anxiety disorders and the least for bipolar disorder. Receiving counseling and treatment via telehealth can positively and negatively impact mental health patients. On the positive side, telehealth can increase access to care for patients in remote or underserved areas. It can allow for more flexible scheduling and can save patients time. On the negative side, the lack of in-person interaction can make it harder for patients to form a relationship with their therapist—which is particularly important in building trust. Overall, telehealth may be effective for specific patient populations and conditions, but it is not the best option in all cases. In-person therapy sessions may be a better option in certain situations. Some examples include:
When a patient is experiencing a severe mental health crisis
When a patient does not have access to reliable technology
When a patient has difficulty communicating verbally due to a language barrier or hearing or speech impairment
It's important that patients and their mental health providers discuss the pros and cons of telehealth and determine the best course of action for individual treatment.
Therapists have 3 Practice Options—Is Partnering with Help Therapy the Smart Choice? As a therapist, you have options for the type of practice you want. #1 The Pros and Cons of Solo Private Practice Solo private practice has the benefits of:
Being in control of every detail of your business
Setting your own rates and keeping all you make
Starting at a low cost and growing at your own pace
But it also:
Requires business savvy
Can be isolating
Carries greater risk
#2 The Pros and Cons of Group Practice The pros include:
No self-marketing needed
No business savvy required
Built-in support
However, the cons are:
Lower pay
Determining your pay rate and taking up to 40%
Less control
Which may include scheduling and patients
Higher likelihood of burnout
This Month’s Tip How to Celebrate Valentine's Day Without a Sweetheart If you expect to be alone on Valentine’s Day, you may tell yourself it’s no big deal. But inside, you may feel left out or lonely. Not to worry. You don’t need to spend Valentine’s Day alone. Think about who’s important in your life and who fills your heart with love— your pet? Valentine's Day is the opportunity to spend quality time with your pets and create special memories. It's also a good excuse to spoil your pets with things they love, such as spending time with you. Spend Valentine's Day with your pets and participate in activities together to celebrate the holiday. Here are a few ideas:
Arrange a professional photo shoot
Commission a professional pet portrait
Make pet-friendly Valentine’s treats
Create a new game
Go on an adventure
What you do with your beloved pet is less important than the simple fact that you spend quality time together. Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love. So why not celebrate it with the pet you love?
Events
National School Counseling Week February 06-10, 2023 See ASCA for more information.
National Make-a-Friend Day February 11, 2023 See National Today for more information.
Random Acts of Kindness Week February 14-20, 2023 See National Today for more information.
National Eating Disorder Week February 27-March 5, 2023 See NEDA for more information.
Partner with us!
Are you a psychologist, LCSW or LMFT? We’re always looking for exceptional mental healthcare providers. Visit helptherapy.com for more information and fill out the quick and easy application.
Do you have something to share?We’d love to hear about your successes and accomplishments! Have you:
Written an article?
Given a presentation?
Have a client success story?
Contact us at info@helptherapy.com.