What is mental health? Think of what physical health means to you. You start feeling dizzy and fatigued one day and you notice it’s getting worse. You skipped last year’s annual physical exams and you have never really had any past physical medical issues before. You know you need to make an appointment with your doctor just to be on the safe side and find out what’s going on before it keeps getting worse.  

It’s the same thing with mental health. You might notice that you feel sad, emotional, angry, or maybe you just don’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. Physical symptoms including being more tired than usual, feeling more aches and pains, having headaches, insomnia, or sleeping more than usual can also go along with these different emotions.  

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Our emotional health, social well-being, and psychological well-being are all very important to not only how we feel right now but how we feel in the future. Just like the physical illness mentioned, it’s important to address it early to prevent it from getting worse over time.   

Do you check in with your feelings? Your thoughts? Your actions? It’s important to check in with your feelings, thoughts, and actions from time to time. Asking yourself some simple questions can help get the process started. Example questions could be: Why do I feel this way? What would make me feel better? Why do I keep thinking negatively? Why did I yell at my pets? Why did I just start crying for no reason?  

There are no right or wrong answers to the questions you ask yourself about your feelings, thoughts, and actions. Many times, we don’t know all the answers to our questions – sometimes it’s beneficial to seek out advice from our friends, family, or even a professional counselor or therapist. We might also want to seek out a Peer Recovery Coach for advice if we’re struggling with substance use.  

Everyday mental wellness tips: 

Maybe things aren’t going the way you want them to go. Or maybe someone just cut you off while you were driving? Try taking some long, slow breaths.  

Kids are home all day for summer break and they’re testing their boundaries with you? Take a walk and maybe throw some earbuds in.  

Maybe your worried about the health and safety of your children and household. This is very common with the state we’re living in and a suggestion could be to reach out to your primary healthcare provider and talk about your concerns and ask for information on how to stay safe. You can also ask them about what to do if someone becomes physically ill or even if they are struggling with mental health too.  

Deadlines and expectations are overwhelming? Try one of these blood-pumping ideas: Play a musical instrument. Lift some weights. Crank the music up and do some angry dancing. Do something to get your body moving. 

If you notice things are getting too difficult to handle or deal with or maybe things feel like they’re just piling up on you, please reach out to us at the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division. You matter and you are important to this community. We all want to be happy and live a fulfilling life. Please reach out if you’re experiencing difficulties feeling happy and content about yourself, your life, or anything important to you.   

Feel free to contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division for more tips or mental health services at 970-563-5700. We would love to talk to you and your family about staying mentally healthy.  

You are ready to help create a drug-free community? Want to help and be a part of the change? We are looking for community members and youth to join the Prevention Coalition tasked to reduce youth substance usage, eliminate mental health stigma, and start the discussion around suicide and prevention.  

We have monthly coalition meetings and workshops to help our community understand the real story behind alcohol, meth, opioids, vaping, marijuana, and other drugs in our community. We need your help! All meeting is held virtually.  

For more information, please contact Precious Collins, Native Connections Program Coordinator for more information 970-563-5700 or email prcollins@southernute-nsn.gov  

LOCAL RSOURCES

• Southern Ute Health Center- Behavioral Health 69 Capote Drive, Ignacio, Colo. 970-563-5700. For local Native Americans. Call to schedule a counseling appointment. 
• Southern Ute- Division of Social Services 116 Capote Drive, Ignacio, Colo. 970-563-2331 for local Native Americans needing assistance with child welfare needs and family support.  
• 24/7 Axis Health System Care Hotline: Durango, Colo. You’re not alone. With our 24/7 crisis services, help is on the way. Your health… We’re in this together. 970-247-5245 
• St Ignatius Catholic Church, Pastor Cesar Arras, 14826 CO-172, Ignacio, Colo. 970-563-4241. 
• Ignacio Community Church, Pastor Randall Haynes 405 Browning Ave, Ignacio, Colo. (currently located inside ELHI) 970-759-3633  
• Second Wind Fund of the Four Corners, believes that every child and youth at risk of suicide should have access to the mental health treatment they need. We match children and youth at risk for suicide with licensed therapists in their communities, 720-962-0706.
• Women’s Resource Center, creates personal, social and professional growth opportunities for all women in La Plata County, 970-247-1242. 

 24/7 STATE OR NATIONAL RESOURCES

• Colorado Crisis Line 844-493-8255 or Text “TALK” to 38255. You’ll immediately be put in contact with a trained counselor, ready to text with you about anything.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has both an online chat and 24/7 phone line at 1-800-273-8255 if you are thinking of suicide or need help for a loved one.
• The Trevor Project which seeks to serve LGBT youth, has a 24/7 suicide prevention line at 866-488-7386.
• JointheWe R Native movement by liking them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/weRnative) , signing up for the text messaging service (text NATIVE to 24587).