It’s never too late to prioritize your mental wellness. Just like our physical health, we need to stop and take care of our mental health. Taking care of your mental health will help release stress, promote a positive attitude and outlook and improve the quality of your relationships.

“Mental health is not merely the absence of a mental illness,” said Lt. Col. Jasmin Gregory, Chief, Department of Public Health, Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. “It’s a state of well-being where an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to their community.”

A strong sense of mental well-being encompasses several core concepts:

• Emotional fitness: Being able to accept, manage and articulate a wide range of emotions without allowing them to control your behavior.
• Resilience and coping: Possessing the capacity to navigate stressful situations and adapt to changes, such as post-deployment or life transitions.
• Social support: Having a healthy support network of people who affirm, support and love you, reminding you of the goodness in life even when under stress.
• Spiritual/purposeful fitness: Having a strong sense of hope, inner peace and meaning in life. This involves recognizing that there is something greater than oneself, which can be a vital source of strength.

“Service members and Veterans face unique challenges,” said Gregory. “The emotional and psychological burdens of military service and the transition back to civilian life mean they have to make mental wellness a more deliberate practice.”

Here are simple, first steps for proactive mental wellness:

• Embrace and maintain routine: A consistent daily routine for meals, exercise and sleep provides structure and a sense of normalcy that can help stabilize mood.
• Reengage with your battle buddy culture: Intentional socializing is crucial to combat isolation. Check in with your battle buddy, Family or fellow Veterans. Opening up about your feelings can alleviate the burden of isolation and strengthen your social support.
• Mindfulness and boundaries: Practice techniques like journaling or meditation to stay grounded. Additionally, hold firm on protective boundaries; it’s OK to decline invitations or cut back on social commitments if they feel overwhelming.
• Lean on military-specific resources: Do not hesitate to use the support systems built for the military community. These are resources staffed by professionals who understand your unique experiences:
• Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness: DPRR offers numerous resources, from Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities to improve your overall well-being, to Ready and Resilient Performance Centers to improve your physical and mental resilience. For more information, visit www.armyresilience.army.mil.
• Psychological Health Resource Center: Service members, Veterans and Family members can call 866-966-1020 to speak with a trained health resource consultant.
• Veterans Affairs: The VA offers mental health services, counseling and therapy specifically tailored to Veterans’ needs.
• Crisis support: For immediate crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is an invaluable resource available 24/7. Dial 988 and press 1 for the Military/Veterans Crisis Line.

“Prioritizing mental wellness is not about fixing a problem,” said Gregory. “It's about building a foundation of strength and resilience for every day. By understanding the powerful connections between your mind, body and social world, you can take simple, proactive steps to enhance your overall well-being.”

By Chet Curtis, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness