TERRE HAUTE – As humans, our overall health is significantly affected by our natural and built environment: where we are born, live, learn, work, play, and congregate all influence our health. While we often think of these environmental factors as relating largely to our physical health, it’s important to consider the effect our environment has on our mental health and well-being as well. This opens the door to consider education, economic stability, social connections, neighborhood, community infrastructure, and access to care. What we know for sure is that there are many factors that contribute to mental well-being, and we all benefit from stable environments, strong communities, and ready access to needed services.

Look Around, Look Within as we consider every part of our environment and its effect on our mental health and well-being. Some aspects of our environments may be outside of our immediate control while in other areas we have the potential to make change. We all have mental health, and we all have unique environments. Making our environments as healthy as possible goes a long way in improving our mental well-being.

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally? This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.

Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called social determinants of health (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer.

While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.

  • Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.
  • Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.
  • Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighbors-helping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.
  • Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. It’s important to know that you are not alone.  Mental Health America reports that 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and nearly 1 in 5 American adults have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.  Hamilton Center has staff available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety, but we don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or health provider. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 800-742-0787; we are here to listen, we are here to help, and we are here to offer hope.

Source: Mental Health America

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Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN.  Services are provided to children, adults, and families, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues, as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.