What do you do to maintain or improve your mental health?

I build Lego sets that I have collected over the years. It helps me keep my focus and sharpens my mind and motor skills.

I found out the hard way that taking my meds is very important to maintaining my mental health issues. I also work with homeless Veterans, helping them find resources and affordable housing. Putting my energy towards helping keeps me grounded and reinforces positive thinking and actions that I try to share.

I stay connected to to my faith and my family as much as possible. I spend time reading my Bible daily and praying for others. My family and I are very intentional about regularly planning quality time together. For me, as long as I have those two things, my faith and my family, I can face anything this world throws at me. God bless you all! I'm praying for you too!

Spending time with grandkids is the best therapy for me!

I realized I missed being part of a team. This past winter I got back into high school coaching and volunteered as an assistant varsity soccer coach for a local team. These young me are mainly refugees from Africa with very little means. I had to help organize a fundraiser to buy shoes for them. These boys played for the love of the game and truly for each other. It was the family I had bad been missing. These men inspired me and by the end of the season they had accepted me as one of their own. We went to State for the first time since 2008 and unfortunately lost the semifinals. In our loss we gained a lifelong bond. I would do anything for these young men. Much like my brothers and sisters in arms. I never realized how much I needed this type of coaching back in my life. I am a better person and feel accomplished for the first time in many years. I can tell you this money being offered for my story would go back to these boys for next year.

For me, maintaining my mental health I do a few things. Every couple of months I have an appt. with my Mental Health Doctor. I discuss things with my family. And I relax a lot with my pets. This is how I maintain my mental health.

Staying in touch with my friends and family. Making sure that I focus on the moment I’m in and letting go of the other issues that can cloud your mind. I’m also volunteering in my local State Veteran rest home.

Focus on and relive the best times of my life.

I read daily. I also find that walking outside to clear my mind helps greatly.

I try to keep learning about mental illnesses and always remind myself that no matter how confident I might be about “knowing” myself or others, there is always more to discover.