Hello, January 2025!

Written By Tiffany Castillo

Welcome to the Cozy Corner Counseling, LLC! It’s so wonderful to have you here and if you’re checking out this page, most likely you’re wondering if therapy is a good fit for you. I’m here to tell you that the answer is yes. Therapy has been often seen as something for “crazy people” or for someone who “really needs it”. Right? WRONG. Therapy is helpful for all seasons and all problems of life. The most important thing about therapy is that you are given a space where you feel loved, welcomed, connected and safe to grow and flourish to where you want to be. I hope you find what you’re looking for because everyone deserves to be heard.

January officially kicks off National Mental Wellness Month. This month is dedicated to bringing awareness to mental health disorders, breaking stigmas (remember what I said about therapy often being seen as only for “crazy people”?) and shedding light on getting help. When we think about mental health and mental illness, millions of people are affected and unfortunately it can feel isolating but it’s much more common than we think.

Fast Facts (From NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness):

  • 1 in 5 U.S. Adults experience mental illness each year

  • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 years old

When we think about these numbers, it’s no wonder why mental wellness is so important and should be taken seriously! Except it isn’t. Despite the high amount of people experiencing mental illness, statistics from 2021 show that only 47.2% of U.S. adults received treatment. We need to do better!

In therapy, I talk a lot about how mind, body and soul are intertwined and connected. When we aren’t doing well mentally, our physical and spiritual components also suffer. This is because having a mental illness affects how we’re able to view life, affects our thinking and energy level, and has a huge impact on the people and things around us. When we think about depression, people with this diagnosis have a “40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population.” And if you suffer from serious mental illness, you’re 2x more at risk to develop these conditions (NAMI).

So how do we do better?

If you, or someone you know, is suffering from mental illness, the first step is to ask for help. You’re not alone. There are many different options and depending on the situation, use one or all of them:

  • Start a conversation with someone about mental health

  • Volunteer at a local mental health center, shelter, library and/or food bank

  • Practice self-care (this is easier said than done, but very important to find what fills your cup)

  • Start a gratitude journal

  • Practice mindfulness exercises

  • Get treatment (therapy, medications, primary doctors, substance abuse centers, etc.)

  • Move your body (any type of movement is better than no movement at all)

  • Prioritize sleep and sleep hygiene (sleep is extremely crucial in decreasing mental health symptoms)

Mental Wellness Month is huge and so important in breaking the stigma. The more we talk about it, the more we normalize it and make it so that care is accessible to everyone. How will you celebrate Mental Wellness Month?

Tiffany Castillo