May 28, 2021

Mental Health Awareness: Knowing the Signs & Supporting

Those in Need

Kate Reilly

Though May and Mental Health Awareness month are coming to a close, the team at Reset180 encourages you to continue to learn about the signs of those struggling with mental health, how you can help others, and ways to support yourself. Mental health awareness is a subject that everyone should continue to learn about and address. 

Look for the Signs

An important part of helping someone address and seek the proper care for mental health issues lies in first identifying that they need support. Consider the following list of signs that might alert you to someone in need: 

• Excessive fear and anxiety.
• Changes in eating habits.
• Avoiding people/places that they love.
• Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs.
• Inability to carry out everyday tasks.
• Lack of energy or ability to ‘tackle the day.’
• Difficulty understanding or relating to others.
• Confusion, acting distracted, or unable to focus.
• Extreme/sudden mood changes.

If you believe someone is suffering and in need, there are ways you can make a difference! 

• Remind them that you are there for them and that they are not alone in facing whatever emotions or hardships they may be experiencing.
• Set aside some time and find a quiet place to practice active listening. Invite them to share what they are going through, offering your ears and presence as a way of showing them they are being heard.
• Offer to assist them in seeking a trauma-informed professional counselor and to be there for them on the journey. Professional assistance can often help to identify and correctly diagnose a mental health issue, which is the first step in establishing a treatment plan. Psychologytoday.com is a good place to start in seeking professional guidance. 
• If they have a relationship with God, encourage them to surrender their anxiety, fear, depression, and pain to Jesus. He has the power to heal, restore, and love us through all of life’s hardships. Commit to praying for them every day during your daily time with Jesus.
• Remind them to always move forward towards the solution instead of focusing time and energy on the problem. Often resetting our mindset in this way will help bring hope and show them the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

At Reset180, we accompany human trafficking survivors on their journey to restoration both physically and mentally. Mental health awareness month may be coming to a close, but we encourage you to continue to be aware of the issues individuals may be facing and offer your support and comfort when possible. 

How Reset180 Works with Survivors to Overcome Mental Health Issues and support them in achieving their Dreams:

As an organization that works with survivors of human sex trafficking, we encounter mental health struggles and trauma each day that we strive to address, understand, and support our survivors through. These issues can range from depression to anxiety to PTSD. Trauma is individualized and impacts each person differently, so each survivor requires a custom plan for services and support. Trauma has long-lasting effects and it impacts an individual’s worldview and how they access services and form relationships. Their understanding of the world is that nothing is given for free and nobody can truly be trusted because that is what the world has taught them. To overcome these traumas, Reset180 works with each survivor, developing services that build resilience and fostering empowerment and trust to create successful trauma-informed care so that survivors can one day feel safe enough to rejoin society.

Our case management team meets up to four times a month with each Reset180 survivor. During these meetings, our professionals work through self-doubt and fear to make a list of goals with the survivor. These goals can be simple or complex, but most importantly, they are achievable. Together, a case manager and survivor will map out the exact steps needed to achieve the goal they have written down. This process allows the survivor to realize the realisticness of their goal, track monthly achievements, and see the clear path to their success. 

Because of gracious and compassionate donors, Reset180 is often able to cover the financial and basic needs of our survivors as they work towards their goals. It is one of the small blessings Reset180 feels grateful to be able to provide. 

Consider making a donation to help support the mental health work Reset180 does, and the time and energy our staff and volunteers give to survivors on their healing journey. A donation as small as $30 a month can make a big difference in the lives of the individuals we serve. 

In addition, we encourage you to sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date on our events, news, and gain access to our resources. 

*If you, or someone you know, is suffering from suicidal thoughts, seek assistance immediately: 

• Dial 911
• Call the Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Visit your nearest hospital