May is for Mental Health

May is not only the last month of the school year, but it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month. Coincidence? I think not! The last month of school is perfect for a mental health check-in. Perhaps you feel weak and need one final push to get to summer, or maybe you’re struggling with the thought of tackling summer. Either way, you are not alone. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul recounts a continuous, personal struggle with a specific weakness. He pleaded with God to take it away, but instead, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The apostle says that he chooses to delight in his weakness for Christ’s sake. Some days what God calls us to do feels like a hardship that we wish God would take away.

 Survival care is different from person to person. Survival care is ANYTHING that gives us the energy and the emotional capacity to be regulated and available when our child needs us to bear their pain and face it with them. Survival care prevents us from developing secondary trauma of our own and protects our mental health. Survival care gives us a moment to breathe. To protect our mental health, sometimes we need to stop right where we are and push past self-care to survival care.

10 Survival Care Ideas

1. Put everyone to bed a little bit earlier or let a child sleep on the floor by your bed because it is the only way you can get some rest.
2. Slowly wash your face with a soft, plush towel while taking some deep breaths
3. Stand outside your front door alone for 10 seconds (or slowly take out the trash!)
4. Say ‘yes’ if it makes life easier. Pick your battles.
5. Say “no” to some good things because you need some alone time.
6. Take the day off from packing lunches or the night off from making dinner and take full advantage of convenience foods and ready meals.
7. Drink your favorite soft drink from a coffee mug, so no one asks for a sip.
8. Shower slowly: it is ok to take your time.
9. Let the kids watch a movie because it gives everyone a break.  
10.Buy some overpriced coffee or sweet treat from your favorite place “just because!”

(adapted from Beaconhouse.org.uk)