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Even then, many
individuals will refuse to visit a healthcare provider until
their pain has surpassed what they can handle. While we
focus our attention on our physical needs and pains, many
forget one of the most important parts of ourselves, one we
cannot see – our mental and emotional health.
Just because we are unable
to see mental health does not mean it is not just as
important as the parts we can see or feel physically. We
will often put off how we feel emotionally as part of life
while assuming “it too shall pass.” Sometimes it will pass
depending on the scenario, but mental heal issues exist not
only in adults, but in children. Just as physical ailments
can be genetic, hereditary or just plain situational so too
can mental and emotional disorders.
As new school years begin,
parents are given forms to be completed by their primary
care providers to assess their children’s physical care and
to update their immunizations. As the school year
progresses, many students are put in detention or expelled
for behaviors beyond the expertise of many teachers and
parents and a mental health assessment may be in order.
Teachers are not mental
health professionals they are educators. If you as a parent
or a teacher have concerns about a child’s behaviors or
emotions, seek out a mental health professional for an
assessment. If a child is not performing in school, they
may need a psychological assessment for a possible learning
disorder.
Life can be full of chaos
and experiences that may cause us a range of emotional and
mental disturbances. Taking the extra time to assess our
mind is just as important as assessing our physical
well-being. Cutting off one’s head would not just end our
lives physically but mentally as our minds ultimately rule
our behaviors.
Our thoughts, hopes,
wishes, dreams and thinking capacity lay within our brain.
Taking a moment to explore the needs of our mental health is
worth more than you can imagine. Ask your medical providers
and insurance about obtaining mental health assessments to
assess issues that may be detrimental to our core being as a
human being.
An assessment is usually a
60 to 90- minute exploration of one’s history such as
physical health, education, family background and dynamic,
abuse, trauma, interests, strengths and weaknesses. Once an
assessment is complete, the mental health professional will
discuss any diagnoses and concerns and develop a treatment
plan catered to your unique needs. This can include
individual counseling, group counseling or other specialized
care.
Child or adult, we feel,
we think, and we explore through our minds which often
affect how we produce, engage and live within our physical
selves. Living within your maximum capacity is detrimental
to the success of the outcome of your life. Take a mental
health moment and seek an assessment today. It could mean
the difference between living your life to the best of your
capacity and just living.
Ed. Note: Bernadette Graham, is a Licensed Professional
Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Certified Grief
Recovery Specialist.
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