May, 2025

Focus Topics for June, 2025

About June

May is Mental Health Awareness Month: A Time to Reflect, Reset, and Reconnect

As the world blooms into spring, May invites us to pause and care for our mental well-being to check in with ourselves, support one another, and take small steps that lead to big changes. Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s also about creating space to heal, grow, and reconnect with what truly matters.

This Month, Start With You

Improving mental health doesn't require a dramatic life overhaul. It begins with simple, intentional acts of self-kindness:

Make time to breathe. A five-minute walk, a moment of silence in the morning, or a few deep breaths can ease anxiety and reset your nervous system.
Talk it out. Whether it's a therapist, a trusted friend, or a journal—sharing your thoughts helps lift the weight.
Fuel your body, nourish your mind. A balanced meal, a good night’s sleep, and even a glass of water can shift your mood and clarity.
Say “no” when you need to. Boundaries are healthy. Rest is productive. You are allowed to protect your energy.
Reconnect with joy. What brings you peace or a smile? Music, dancing, painting, gardening, a favorite book? Make time for it—without guilt.

Many people struggle in silence. This month, we invite you to be part of the shift to speak openly, listen deeply, and reach out when help is needed.

Here are a few resources for assistance and assessment:

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for 24/7 confidential support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time.
NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit www.nami.org.
Mental Health America: Free tools, screenings, and wellness kits at www.mhanational.org

.Resources for Personal or Workplace Use

May, 2025 Wellness Tips Calendar

Self Care Tips

Send A Gratitude Card-Mother's Day

Building Healthy Boundaries

How About Resetting Your Emotional Wellness-Suggestions from NIH

Take time to build resilience, reduce stress, get quality sleep, strengthen social connections, cope with loss, be mindful. Review the resource to learn more about your improving your emotional wellness from this resource.

Rebuild Your Emotional Wellness

Explore the Emotional Wellness Tool Kit from NIH

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Sail into Summer: A New Plan for Fitness and Health

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and the perfect time to chart a fresh course toward better health and vitality. As the days grow longer and the promise of summer draws near, there's no better moment to commit to moving more, eating well, and feeling great.

Whether you're dusting off your sneakers, trying a new sport, or revamping your routine, this month is all about celebrating what your body can do. Physical activity isn’t just about looking good—it’s about building strength, boosting energy, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.

Let’s set sail with purpose:

Try something new: walk, dance, swim, or play!
Set realistic goals that excite you.
Choose fresh, seasonal foods to fuel your journey.
Prioritize sleep, hydration, and daily movement.

This May, make the commitment to yourself. Sail into summer stronger, healthier, and more confident—one step, one breath, and one choice at a time.

Resources to "get moving" and be more physically active:

Move Your Way

Physical Guidelines for Americans from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Resources for Kids-Fitness and Heath

The American Health Association Fitness Suggestions

Restart Your Health and Wellness Plan

What is the Difference
Between EAP Counseling and Life Coaching

There are often inquiries made by clients seeking services for Employee Assistance Plan non-medical solution focused approaches or Life Coaching services. A focus for May, 2025 is to provide an explanation about both types of services for the reader's education.

Life coaching can be a valuable alternative or supplement to traditional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling, particularly for individuals seeking to achieve specific life goals or develop new skills. While EAPs often focus on mental health and substance abuse, life coaching can assist with areas like career transitions, personal development, and achieving specific objectives.

Here's a more detailed look at the differences and when each might be more appropriate:

EAP Counseling:

Focus:

Primarily addresses mental health concerns, substance abuse issues, and provides support for coping with difficult life events.
Approach:

Often involves exploring past experiences, identifying root causes of problems, and developing coping strategies.
Goal:

To help individuals manage emotional distress, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and address underlying mental health conditions.
Benefits:

Can be beneficial for individuals experiencing significant stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges.

Life Coaching:

Focus:

Assists individuals in setting goals, developing action plans, and achieving desired outcomes in various areas of life.
Approach:

Encourages self-discovery, exploration of personal values, and identification of strengths and areas for growth.
Goal:

To help individuals move towards their desired future, develop new skills, and achieve specific objectives.
Benefits:

Can be helpful for individuals who are seeking to change careers, improve their personal lives, or pursue personal or professional development goals.

When to Consider Life Coaching Instead of or in Addition to EAP Counseling:

Goal-Oriented Needs:

If the primary focus is on achieving specific life goals or developing new skills, life coaching may be a more suitable option.
Motivation and Action:

Life coaching can be particularly effective for individuals who need help staying motivated, accountable, and taking action towards their goals.
Holistic Approach:

Combining EAP counseling with life coaching can provide a comprehensive approach to well-being, addressing both mental health and personal development needs.
Preventative Support:

Life coaching can be used as a preventative measure, helping individuals manage stress and prevent potential mental health issues.

In summary, while EAP counseling focuses on addressing mental health and well-being, life coaching provides guidance and support for achieving personal and professional goals.

What I Am Reading June, 2025!

I ran across this book, "Friendship First", searching for client resources to address making and keeping friendships. Friendships create a well-balanced life, add depth and breath to our daily living, and provide much needed support to an individual, the couple, the family. Since COVID-19, people are re-learning to re-connect, develop meaningful relationships that were put aside due to isolation.

Friendships are reciprocal, not one way. Taking a moment to text a friend asking how their day is going, or to say they are being thought of can go along way to keep and maintain connection with those near and dear in our lives.

Did you know, from an article discussing Friendship First, "It's estimated it takes 140 hours to make a good friend. Those bonds are strengthened even more as we spend time caring for one another and sharing tasks that are not necessarily fun." Yankovich further notes, "Regardless of what our families look like, we are likely to have daily contact with them. Daily interaction with others, even if they aren't close friends, makes us happier. Yet research finds people are happier spending time with friends, especially as the typical family size shrinks.".

It is acceptable to have friends, both male and female, individuals and couples, to add to the support system throughout life. Discussing with clients, it often is thought to be "taboo" to have friends of the opposite gender when in fact genuine, close friends a) respect the couple system boundary, b) can support and courage the couple in the best of times and in the most challenging of life events, and c) will provide a "family" type of relationship for those without family. Opposite gender friends certainly are not "taboo" and need to be encouraged to enhance one's life.

The book encourages the reader to take and make time to reflect on how you, the reader, make efforts to maintain, nurture, and keep your friendships alive and connected.

Friendship First

About the book, Friendship First

More about "Friendship First"