May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In the midst of the COVID-19 global crisis, we know that mental health resources are necessary now more than ever. And it is the mental health professionals across the globe who are on the front lines caring for an increased number of patients suffering from anxiety, stress, and depression as a result of this global pandemic. To recognize and celebrate our own Behavioral Health team’s efforts, we will be profiling one of our clinicians each week in the month of May.
Meet Casey Flax, LCSW
Why did you pursue a career into mental health?
During my senior year in college, I had the opportunity to conduct admissions interviews for prospective students. I was impressed by the students’ accomplishments and determination, but also moved by the innate potential of that moment in their lives. I became enamored with the experience of hearing someone’s story, and helping them to shape their potential into whatever their next chapter would be. I initially followed this interest into a career in the arts, supporting individuals while they produced creative work. Being suffused in that environment of creativity was rewarding, but as my career progressed, I felt it lacked a direct impact on the people’s lives I worked with. I felt the need to go deeper into their stories, beyond what we could talk about at work, or with their families or friends, or work out in their creative output. My own positive experiences with therapy also greatly contributed to, and continues to support my work as a therapist.
What does Mental Health Awareness Month mean to you?
Making mental health treatment more accessible is a pillar of my practice as a psychotherapist. I am thrilled when a patient tells me they have recommended therapy to a family member or friend, or when they reflect why they didn’t try therapy before, and how that has now changed. The awareness that observing Mental Health Month brings to the field is vital. A flyer or news piece can tip the scale, pushing a person who needs help to seek it. Awareness is the key to destigmatize mental health care, which has long been shrouded in silence and secrecy.
What do you think will be different because of COVID-19?
Humans are hard-wired to connect. Normally during times of collective crisis, being physically together is the balm that helps heal the wounds of trauma and grief. Research in the fields of affective neuroscience and infant-parent attachment shows us that togetherness is crucial to our good health and wellbeing. But now, in the age of COVID, our being together is also the cause of our shared worry and sadness. All of our virtual tools are a great band-aid for this moment, but I think they will never replace the experience of actually being together. I wonder how this lack of physical togetherness will shape our society in the future.
At Eden Health, we recognize the elevated stress and anxiety people are facing with the world’s current state of uncertainty around COVID-19. Please check out our list of mental health resources below designed to help you and your teams recognize and manage stress and anxiety in the workplace.
- Read our blog on A Guide to Managing Stress and Anxiety from Our Therapists
- Hear from our mental health clinicians featured for Mental Health Month: Anna Kuzmenko, LMHC, Rachelle Scott, MD
- Read our blog on COVID-19 and Mental Health in the Workplace
- Watch this on demand webinar Rock star to Rock bottom: Preventing employee burnout in stressful times
- Download the Employee Burnout Checklist
- Read our blog on 7 Ways to Build Company Culture While Working from Home
We know mental health is important and that’s why it’s a critical part of our complete, integrated care solution. To learn more about Eden Health and what we can do for you and your employees, contact us at sales@edenhealth.com.
