We schedule routine visits for various needs, whether taking care of your teeth by going to the dentist, taking care of your physical health by going to the doctor, and even scheduling routine visits for cosmetic reasons, like nails, brows, and lashes. So why don’t we prioritize routine mental health testing and visits?
A Call for Routine Mental Health Check-ins for Everyone graphic by Kenise, ATSO
One in four adults will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life and the world we live in lends itself to stress-related mental health conditions, so it makes sense that we should be encouraging mental health check-ins.
A panel of experts in the U.S. Preventive Services Task says regular screening can help identify mental health disorders early and that adults up to age 64 should routinely get screened for anxiety– even people with no symptoms of stress or emotional duress (Nania, 2023). Being proactive is one of the best ways to manage your mental and physical health. Knowing how common mental health issues are and that milestone events like birthdays, holidays, graduations, and career anniversaries can sometimes feel underwhelming and unfulfilling, the best way to prevent deaths from suicide is by promoting mental health check-ins so people can receive help before it is too late.
Even for those who are not diagnosed with or experiencing mental health conditions, mental health check-ins can be beneficial. Think of it like the eye doctor. You may have 20/20 vision, but you will still need to go in for check-ups because we’re human beings capable of change and your vision could change. Having notes from prior mental health check-ins can help if someone’s mental health begins to suffer. Like with concussion protocol, having pre-existing information from a test at peak health can help us better understand which areas are suffering and how best to support overall well-being moving forward.
The NCAA has now mandated that athletes partake in annual mental health check-ins, and I fully support this decision (NCAA, 2024). I would love to see more sports teams, universities, schools, and workplaces offer regular (and preferably complimentary) mental health check-ins. This would be a great way to take care of our communities’ mental health and proactively lower death from suicide rates.
By encouraging mental health check-ins at least once a year, we are also helping to normalize conversations around mental health and the practice of asking for and receiving mental health help when we need it. By breaking the stigma we can help people feel less alone in their mental health journey and more optimistic about their future.
Are you looking to schedule a mental health check-in? Try some of our favorite therapist search sites like Inclusive Therapists, Psychology Today, and the APA Psychologist Locator.
Mental health check-in search graphic by Kenise, ATSO
Need help finding more specific mental health resources and support? Schedule a mental health support session with me so I can help connect you with customized support. The first one is always free!
Book a free mental health support session graphic by Kenise, ATSO
Have a specific mental health question on your mind? Email sara@askthestubbornoptimist so I can give you answers and any information you need.
We all have a mind, and that means we all have mental health. Our mental health deserves to be respected, and by calling for routine mental health check-ins we can help take care of everyone’s mental health.
Thank you for reading, and here’s to taking care of our mental health!
Always yours,
Sara, ATSO
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References
Nania, Rachel. (2023, June, 20). Health Panel: Adults Under 65 Should Be Screened for Anxiety. AARP. Retrieved May 29, 2024. https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/anxiety-disorder-test.html
NCAA. 2024. Mental Health Best Practices. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/2/mental-health-best-practices.aspx#:~:text=Using%20a%20validated%20screening%20tool,or%20licensed%20mental%20health%20provider
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