Holistic Approach to Mental Health and Wellness
Mental health and wellness requires we take a holistic approach. As Mr. Miyagi said in the 1st karate kid movie, “our whole life is a balance”. To be truly mentally healthy, we need to make sure that we are taking care of our mind, body and spirit. We do that through activities and exercises that connect us to those domains of our life. For instance, reading strengthens and relaxes our mind, hiking strengthens our body, and faith practices strengthen our spirit. By using a holistic approach we can handle life and stresses much more effectively. Holistic Behavioral Healthcare is part of our mission at Appleseed.
Often addiction to drugs or alcohol occurs simultaneously with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. It is important to find a treatment provider who takes a trauma informed and holistic approach to treating addiction. Addiction represents unhealthy coping skills we've adopted to manage a past life trauma, stress, or other difficulties. Recovering from addiction is a journey of self-discovery, relationship healing, and replacing maladaptive coping skills with adaptive ones. Working with a professional who takes a holistic trauma-informed approach can make all the difference in your recovery. That type of approach is part of the fabric here at the agency.
You have heard me say frequently that the opposite of addiction is connection. Addiction to drugs or alcohol places that substance above all other relationships in a person's life. Family therapy can be a crucial part of recovery. Seeing a person through the lens of their family system is one of our operational values. What brings value to our lives isn't the things we have but the people we are connected to. If you are trying to overcome an addiction, one of the most important things you can do is work on healing broken relationships and restoring your loved ones to the central place of value in your life.
-Jerry Strausbaugh, EdD, LPCC-S, Executive Director, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center
