BY ADRIAN FLETCHER, Psy.D.
Human First, Psychologist Second
We all need collective strength, support, empathy, connection, and hope.
As a psychologist who has worked in the mental health field for the last 18 years in various roles and settings and as a survivor of sex trafficking, I have seen and heard a lot. What I have never witnessed are the collective fear, disconnection, isolation, and depression on a global level that has occurred over the last few years.
Therapists’ practices are full, there is an increasing demand for mental health providers, many therapists are tired and facing burnout, children and teens’ abilities to learn have been impacted, families and marriages have been challenged, suicide and problematic substance use are on the rise, businesses have suffered, lives have been lost.
In short, it’s been a tragic two years for people and many are struggling. In my practice, I have seen a lot of people find healing through talking about their struggles vulnerably and honestly. Normalizing and speaking about our struggles within safe, supportive relationships can bring relief, inspiration, and hope to ourselves and others. It comes down to a very powerful collective message: “You are not alone.” We are human, we all struggle, and we all have faced at least one challenge in the last few years.
As a person in recovery from complex trauma and dissociative identities the last two years gave me great perspective on the preciousness of life. I made several shifts to my own personal and professional life to create more time for overall health and wellness. I have created more time for daily breathing practices, meditation, hiking, creative arts, journaling, and connecting with others. Regularly circling back with my support system has supported my overall health, wellness, and recovery.
As we continue to move forward, we also need to be patient with ourselves and with others. The expectation to function at max capacity is unrealistic. We need compassion, empathy, and understanding that we are all trying to figure out how to grieve, accept, and navigate the changes.
Employers and family members need to understand that mental health is critical. People need the freedom to address their mental health so that they can show up as a present parent and family member, perform well at their job, and focus on their schoolwork or however they dedicate their time.
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. It’s difficult to show up and serve our families, communities, or workplaces without first taking good loving care of ourselves. We are in a time that requires reassessment of our priorities, boundaries, and relationships. We each need to decide where to put our energy and our focus and understanding that some people around us may not accept that.
May we all be mindful of the children and teens in our communities. Let’s check in with our young people regularly to be sure they know they are cared about, thought about, and prioritized. Listen with open ears and validate their emotions. From working with teens in my practice, I know being seen, heard, and having their emotions validated can go along way for these very important developmental years.
The last two years have posed many challenges for adults so it’s unfair to expect children and teens to rebound and recover from the last two years quickly. They may need extra support, reminders, connection, and quality time with emotionally safe people.
As we recover from the impact of the last two years and continue to move forward, let us remember that the best things we can do for the collective is take the best possible care of ourselves, and be gentle with our fellow humans by being kind and empathic as we all rise together.
Hope and healing to all.
Dr. Adrian Fletcher is a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a therapist certified in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy and a consultant, speaker, and mental health advocate.
The information shared in this blog post is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health or medical care. It also does not constitute a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Fletcher. The information provided by Dr. Fletcher is for educational and inspirational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.