Connection is an integral part of the human experience. Your loved ones remind you that you are not alone on your journey; you can get through the good days and the hard days together. Nevertheless, having support on your mental wellness journey can be an invaluable tool for understanding and motivating long-term healing.
The Value of Family in Mental Health Recovery
According to an article from the Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, recovery is about connection. The idea of being supported by others is an integral part of recovery for building healthy interdependence in social relationships that are both fulfilling and mutual in care. Moreover, the key components of recovery include:
- Hope
- Empowerment
- Self-determination
- Personal responsibility
- Self-advocacy
- Wellness
- Acceptance
Therefore, the power of your loved ones’ belief in your recovery can support a sense of confidence in your ability to be an active participant in your recovery.
Also, as noted in an article from the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, sharing your mental wellness journey with your loved ones, including children, can foster mutual support, collaborative problem-solving, self-agency, and determination in your recovery. In addition, discussing mental wellness with children opens the door to deeper communication, understanding, and mutually healthier coping strategies.
Talking About Mental Wellness With Your Kids
As noted in an article from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), talking about mental wellness with children can feel daunting due to stigma and lack of accessible information compared to other medical conditions. However, engaging in an open conversation about mental health can reduce stigma and fear, increase understanding, and strengthen your bond with each other.
Conversation Starters
As noted by NAMI, listed below are some ways you can start talking about mental health with children:
- Use concrete examples
- Practice active listening
- Use age-appropriate education resources
- Build self-care practices together
Discussing mental wellness with your children can support their understanding of your recovery and encourage building healthier coping skills together. In addition, there are a variety of activities you and your family can incorporate into your lives to support mental wellness.
Activities for Your Family’s Mental Wellness
Listed below are some activities you can do with children and other loved ones:
- Show affection:
- Hugs
- Affirmations
- Volunteer:
- Assist at a soup kitchen
- Practice healthy nutrition:
- Cooking/eating together
- Engage in group hobbies:
- Book club
- Gardening
- Arts and crafts
- Game nights
- Participate in physical activity:
- Exercise
- Sports
- Nature walks
- Set goals together:
- Financial goals
- Wellness goals
Moreover, participating in mental wellness activities with your loved ones can support long-term healing for the whole family.
Value of Connection at the Guest House
At The Guest House, we believe in fostering a safe and supportive community where you can share, connect, and engage in community-building to support recovery. We know recovery is an ongoing process of self-discovery, learning, and growth that you continue to build on throughout your life. Therefore, we are committed to providing different levels of care to give you tools for an independent life where you can continue healthy practices for mental wellness with your family.
Sharing your mental health with your loved ones can be a valuable tool of connection on your journey to recovery. Meaningful conversations, education, and self-care activities can support deeper communication and understanding, and improve mental wellness for the whole family. At The Guest House, we believe connection and community-building are vital on your journey toward self-love and healing. With different levels of care, we can help you develop tools to support an independent life in long-term recovery. Call The Guest House at (855) 483-7800 today.