×
  • Generic filters
    Exact matches only
  • Your 1st Appointment
    • Make Appointment
    • Therapy & Counseling Facts
    • Therapy for All Ages
    • Paying for Services
  • Services
    • What We Treat
    • Inpatient Services
      • West Springs Psychiatric Hospital
      • Women’s Recovery Center
      • Circle Program
    • Outpatient Services
      • Aspen
      • Craig
      • Eagle
      • Frisco
      • Glenwood Springs
      • Granby
      • Grand Junction
      • Meeker
      • Rangely
      • Rifle
      • Steamboat Springs
      • Vail
      • Walden
    • Other Programs
      • Respite Services
      • Peer Support
      • Oasis Clubhouse
      • MAT
      • Supported Employment Service
  • Resources
    • Resources For Coping In Today’s World
      • Mental Health First Aid
      • Suicide Prevention
      • Talking With Others In Mental Distress
      • Coping Tips For Trauma & Distress
      • When Major Events Happen
      • Multiply Your Happy
      • Mental Health Care Kit
      • Resiliency Skills Training
      • Guided Meditations
    • Professional-Resources
      • Physician Referrals
      • General Referrals
      • Medication Assisted Therapy
      • Thought Leadership & Trainings
    • Understanding Mental Health Disorders
    • Understanding Drug & Alcohol Addiction
    • Forms & Documents
    • Client Advocacy
  • Careers
    • All Open Positions
    • Internships & Practicums
    • Benefits Package
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Mind Springs Health FAQ
      • Board Of Directors
      • Our Psychiatric Team
      • Leadership Team
      • People & Locations
    • Partnerships
      • West Slope Casa
      • Zero Suicide
    • For The Media
    • Blogs & More
    • Prescribing Medications
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • GIVE
  • Generic filters
    Exact matches only

A Peer’s Perspective: What’s In Your Toolkit?

By Jill Davis

A Peer’s Perspective: What’s In Your Toolkit?
July 9, 2019Mental Health General

The ubiquitous commercial regarding carrying the correct credit card was the inspiration for this perspective.  It speaks to being prepared and familiar with having the proper tool in your wallet so that there are no surprises when it comes time to use it. I’d like to offer this same concept when it comes to our mental health.

Take a closer look at this kind of toolkit and see why it is so beneficial. As human beings living this life, we will all come across situations that can throw us for the proverbial loop. If you are like me, some of those situations not only knock the wind out of your sails, they cause you to lose the desire and energy to raise the sails again for a good measure of time afterwards. These are the times when having a tailored collection of tools to help you to navigate the situations is crucial.

To gain insight on when to begin developing this kit, let’s talk about football. There is a huddle to plan what action the team will take before the play against the opposing team. By doing this before the interaction occurs, the players know what steps they need to take to recover. This is a great analogy of when to create your toolkit.

Our brains are wired to function differently when we are in a difficult situation. Thoughts will usually focus on what is going on and how to get through it now rather than planning future moves. Knowing what tools are useful beforehand can be critical in how you move through critical situations. A plan can look something like this: “the next time I feel anxious when I have a job interview, I will use box breathing and sing a song that I like to myself; when I am in a situation where I feel scared, I can use my daily affirmation to reassure myself”.

What goes into the toolkit can be as unique as you are. Mine consists of multiple things including journaling, mindfulness walks, music, pros/cons lists, deep breathing and even cleaning! Other choices that may work could be movies, window shopping, calling a hotline, taking a bath or spending time with a friend. Any plausible, healthy option that works in that moment and creates a path for you to manage the stressors that come your way can be added. It’s important to remember that a variety of tools is optimum as life ebbs and flows. If you look at a carpenter’s tools, using a hammer for every situation wouldn’t get them very far when they need to cut or measure the wood. I am always talking with people and seeing what tools they are likely to use and I may even add one or two of those to my collection. Let’s be honest, the same tools may not work every day, every time, or in every situation. There have been times in my life, for example, where taking a walk is not an available option, and so having a few to choose from is always the best plan.

I have found that having a mental health toolkit has played a vital role in maintaining my recovery and my hope is that you will consider creating one for yourself so that you can experience its powerful impact.  So when someone asks “What’s in your toolkit?” you will have the answer.

Jill Davis is Peer Services Coordinator for Mind Springs Health.  She or any one of our peers are happy to share more about creating your mental health tool kit.  Drop her a line at Peers@MindSpringsHealth.org

Featured Articles

  • The Future Of Mental Health is Partnership Mar 7

    Last week, the Mind Springs Inc. CEO and his new TRUSTED executive leadership team had the pleasure to meet and gather with 32 Mesa County...

  • Black History Month 2023 Feb 1

    Join us in celebration of Black History Month and the people who committed their lives to understanding the relationship between race, stigma, and mental health.

  • West Springs Hospital Found in Substantial Compliance Following Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Audit Jan 9

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Grand Junction, Colo. (January 9, 2022) – West Springs Hospital, the 48-bed, inpatient psychiatric hospital owned and operated by Mind Springs Health,...

Categories

  • Featured Articles (85)
  • In the News (63)
  • Mental Health General (57)
    • Depression and Anxiety (1)
    • Resiliency (6)
  • Substance Use Disorders (15)
    • Recovery Newsletters (10)
  • Suicide Awareness & Prvention (1)
  • Tools and Resources (32)
  • Uncategorized (1)
SEE ALL BLOG POSTS

HELPFUL LINKS

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
TREATMENT LOCATIONS
CAREERS
EVENTS
FAQ
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

LEGAL

CLIENT RIGHTS
HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
PRIORITY POPULATIONS
PRIVACY POLICY
TERMS OF USE
NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The Latest in Behavioral Health

  • The Future Of Mental Health is Partnership Mar 7

    Last week, the Mind Springs Inc. CEO and his new TRUSTED executive leadership team had the pleasure to meet and...

  • Black History Month 2023 Feb 1

    Join us in celebration of Black History Month and the people who committed their lives to understanding the relationship between...

  • West Springs Hospital Found in Substantial Compliance Following Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Audit Jan 9

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Grand Junction, Colo. (January 9, 2022) – West Springs Hospital, the 48-bed, inpatient psychiatric hospital owned and...

Site designed with ❤ by heart emoji
©2023 Mind Springs Inc. All Rights Reserved