Welcome to another edition of “BTW” (Bonus Tip of the Week) a section straight from the POCHO Stuff Email. I asked therapists to share their top advice for those who haven’t yet contacted a therapist. Here are their valuable insights to help you navigate your mental health journey.
BTW:💡
Prioritizing Mental Health 🌟 I asked therapists to share their top advice for those who haven’t yet contacted a therapist. Here are their valuable insights to help you navigate your mental health journey:
🌱 Explore Different Options and Trust Your Gut
The unique and Alternative Therapist Fernando Aceves Martinez suggests, “Probar diferentes opciones. Basarte en la conexión y el feeling más que en la línea terapéutica.” It’s essential to try different options and base your choice on the connection and feeling rather than the therapeutic approach.
🤝 Find a Trusted Person and Use Available Resources
You may have seen clinical psychologist, family and school counselor Hector Meza on Loacal TV, he emphasizes the importance of having a trusted person: “Tener acceso con una persona de confianza ayuda a disminuir el estrés y aumenta los niveles de dopamina.” Trusted individuals, whether family, friends, or mentors, can significantly reduce stress and boost dopamine levels. He also recommends various resources for those without a therapist:
- Walking in nature
- Exercising
- Writing gratitude journals
- Setting and pursuing accessible goals
- Reading about mental health
- Practicing yoga and meditation
- Joining dance groups
- Connecting with faith or beliefs
🕵️♂️ Do Your Research and Be Patient
Long distance IG friend and Latina mental healthcare professional in the making Nicole Villarreal Martinez, MSW advises, “Therapy requires patience, often much more than expected… connect to your community.” Research and patience are key as therapy takes time. Utilize community resources like university counseling centers, workplace wellness programs, local advocacy groups, religious centers, and support groups. Connecting with these can make the process less daunting.
💪 Be Brave and Take the First Step
Mi amiga Vanessa Sanchez encourages courage: “Be brave & take the first step to actually connect with a therapist… don’t get discouraged if not everyone is a good fit.” It’s vital to take that first step with the understanding that not every therapist will be the right fit. Don’t give up, as finding the right one is immensely rewarding. For those supporting loved ones, she suggests directly asking about their mental state and offering practical support, such as helping set appointments or accompanying them to therapy. Vanessa shared a bunch of resources with me that I’ll post next week, stay tuned!
📌 My POCHO Takeaway:
Mental health is a journey. Be patient, explore your options, and connect with trusted individuals and community resources to support your well-being. Thank you to all of this week’s contributors and you for reading!
Pocho Socialite 