Clinical Corner

Mental Health Month 2021 Week 4

Person Icon Stephanie Weatherly, DNP, PMH RN-BC, FACHE
Person Icon Chief Clinical Officer
Person Icon May 24, 2021

As we enter the last week of Mental Health Month, I hope you show up to make it count! This week I want to talk about mental health awareness that has been in the news. Our Bloomfield, Iowa, therapist shared a wonderful article on Oprah’s interview with Prince Harry about mental health. Oprah is doing a series called “The Me You Can’t See” on mental illness, health, and wellbeing, including people, and celebrities, from around the globe. Prince Harry discusses his trauma, how his wife identified his need for therapy, and how therapy has impacted him. He speaks about how telling your story can heal others. Click through to the article if you would like to learn more.

I attended a class this year on mental health healing through storytelling. Storytelling has a rich history that holds many purposes. Studies have shown storytelling even improves blood pressure in patients with hypertension. (ACP)

Here is a great article on tips we could use with our patients who want to write their own stories. It includes a poem by Della Hicks-Wilson that says it all about storytelling:

Darling,
You feel heavy
Because you are too
Full of truth.

Open your mouth more.
Let the truth exist
Somewhere other than
Inside your body.

Thank you for all you have done this May to break down barriers and end stigma!

If you or someone you know is in need of a behavioral health placement, behavioral health referral, or experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please do not use this website. Instead, use these crisis resources to speak with someone now or access local support.