Cheyenne, Wyo., – The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that Wyoming is facing a mental health crisis with 121,000 adults experiencing mental health illness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to open up a conversation about a topic that is often heavily stigmatized.
“I can be a better person in general if I am taking care of myself as a whole person, not just as a physical person,” said Dr. JJ Chen, Psychiatrist at CRMC.
He says mental health should be prioritized as highly as physical health.
If you’re feeling less than your full 100% functionality, some things can be done, whether it’s talk therapy, medication, or addressing root issues like sleep and appetite.
“We live in a culture where we ‘cowboy up, or cowgirl up’ we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, and that’s our way of life, we’re really resilient people,” Dr. Chen.
He says Wyomingites are self-sustaining, which simultaneously can be the most effective strength and potential weakness.
The conversation around mental health has grown over the years, especially in Wyoming, with it being one of Governor Gordon’s top priorities, creating a culture of resilience and acceptance that supports the narrative that “it’s okay to not be okay.”
Dr. Chen says there are little things that can be done to improve your mental health, from movement and getting outside, opening up conversations with one another about how you’re doing, and slowing down and practicing intentionality.
“We can decide how we want to perceive that time, and how we may be able to have that little rejuvenation and rest,”