Mental Health Matters: Prioritize Yours
Whether you spend the 9-5 in an office, at home, or on the road, your mental health shouldn't take a back seat during the workday.
Dr. Carlos Garcia, clinical psychologist and owner of Tampa Counseling and Wellness, says the constant strive for success can cause employee burnout and end up doing more harm than good to their mental health. He encourages everyone to try to find a good balance between their work and personal lives.
While reaching for the next achievement, Dr. Garcia says, people should look back at how far they've come and don't let any failures define them.
To help employees avoid burnout, Dr. Garcia encourages employers to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. He says simple acts like offering a meditation or yoga class or just a safe space for employees to share their feelings can make a big difference.
If employees still find themselves feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, call for help. It's OK not to be OK. There are resources available throughout the Tampa Bay area to help with mental health:
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has offered services to the Tampa Bay community for more than 50 years to ensure no one faces a crisis alone.
People who are struggling with a variety of crisis situations, including sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergencies, suicidal thoughts, and other problems can connect with the Crisis Center and start down the path to help.
Tampa Bay Thrives is a local nonprofit that helps people better address mental health and substance abuse issues by focusing on improved navigation resources to help people find appropriate care, access to behavioral health counseling, and remove the stigma of seeking treatment for mental health related issues.
Hillsborough County Mindful Mondays
Mindful Mondays promotes different ways you can make your mental health a priority, despite having a busy schedule. From chair yoga virtual classes to tips on how to decompress after a long day, Hillsborough County's Mindful Mondays has various interactive resources for you to access no matter what day or time it is. New content updated on a continuing basis.