Family Health West and its senior life solutions program is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by encouraging people to protect their mental health and overall well-being.

“It’s important to remember that working on your mental health takes time. Change won’t happen overnight,” said Glenda Hamer-Garlitz, director of the Family Health West senior life solutions program. “By focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of modern life and develop long-term strategies to support yourself — and others — on an ongoing basis.”

Hamer-Garlitz encouraged people to focus on:

Educating themselves to learn more about mental health conditions, symptoms and treatment options and then to seek help when needed.

Connect with others, including family and friends, for emotional support and to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Limit screen time, especially on social media, and engage instead in activities that nourish the mind and body.

Fill a coping toolbox, which can be a simple as compiling a list of coping skills or keeping handy photos that provoke happy thoughts as well as a stress ball.

The Family Health West senior life solutions program offers group therapy services on an outpatient basis designed to help older adults experiencing depression or anxiety related to changes associated with aging or chronic medical conditions. For more information, call  (970) 200-1496 or visit the website at https://fhw.org/services/senior-life-solutions.