April is National Counseling Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the positive impact counseling can have on our mental health and well-being, and fight back against the stigma that still exists around seeking mental health care. It is also a time to recognize and honor the meaningful, and often life-changing, contributions counselors make each day.
Integral Care has 872 LPHAs, LPCs, LCSWs, Licensed Psychologists, LPAs, LCDCs and LMFTs across our agency who work with children and adults with mental health, substance use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Whether it is supporting someone in a crisis, in schools, in one of our clinics, or out in the community, our counseling services help ensure our clients get the care they need to thrive.
“What I like about counseling is that my emotions are with a counselor instead of with everybody else in the world.” – Isabella, School-Based Counseling Client
Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. In fact, research has shown that 1 in 5 people in the United States experience mental illness in any given year. Across all modalities, counseling has been proven to help decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, improve interpersonal communication and relationships, reduce substance misuse and improve emotional self-regulation, among other benefits.
This Counseling Awareness Month, let us work together to break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking the help they need. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please know that help is available. Our Helpline is always available for anyone who needs immediate emotional support – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – or if you are worried about someone and need to talk. Call 512-472-4357. Press 1 for English, then 1. The Helpline can also connect you to Integral Care programs and services.
Next month, I look forward to celebrating Mental Health Month with a community forum and the launch of our annual Mental Health Toolkit. This year’s forum and toolkit will focus on children’s mental health.
