Thriving Through Transition

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to provide education and understanding about all things mental health. Each week in May, Beacon of Light will share a new blog post highlighting different aspects of mental wellness. Today, I’ll begin with the exciting topic of transition and change – because it’s happening whether we want it to or not. I’ll be a little vulnerable here; as I write this I am mentally preparing to send my oldest child to her dream college program in a few months, which takes her about 1,700 miles away from home. Change. Is. Hard.

May is a catalyst for change. The school year is ending, and summer is beginning. Students will be promoted from one grade to the next, many will change schools, some will graduate from high school and move on to college or another adventure and college students will prepare for their next steps. Thoughts of these things inundate students as they take final exams, complete projects and prepare to say goodbye to friends for a while. Parents will be consumed with summer plans, securing childcare, worrying about providing enough enrichment over the summer, possibly packing up a child to move out, or getting ready for a child to move back home. Add to this the multiple awards ceremonies, recitals, performances, band concerts, championship games, parties, graduations, banquets, celebrations –BREATHE! You might be ready for an epic meltdown about now. I know I am!

How do we cope with the stress of transition? What can we do to keep our families healthy, our emotional literacy high and our faith strong? Beacon of Light is hosting an event on May 10 to address these things and more, however I’ll share a few of the things I’ve learned as a mental health professional, parent, child of God, and knowledge seeker.

·       Pray: I don’t know about you, but often I am knee deep in the thick of stress and chaos before I remember that I need to stop and pray. What a change we experience when we take a few seconds or minutes to invite God into our presence and guide us as we go about our day and decision making!

·       Listen: Take time to listen to your child, family members and friends when a transition is taking place. Whether it be to a new grade, a new school, a new town, a job or career transition, an upcoming performance or test or just planning whatever is on the horizon. Listen to and process other’s concerns before reacting.

·       Affirm: Affirm the person that they are ready for the change. Highlight their strengths and achievements, encourage the next steps and remind them that they are a good and capable person.

·       Yield: In traffic terms, yield means to slow down and make space for other vehicles. One of the biggest mistakes that we make during transitions is to move too quickly while not looking out for others. Even in the chaos, we need to slow down, enjoy the moment, and check on ourselves and others.

Did you catch the acronym? PLAY! Mental health professionals love acronyms. It helps us remember and it just makes it fun. What I love about this acronym is that it relates to so many aspects of life including transition, family, emotional wellness and even faith. We need time in our lives to play, no matter what season we are in. Children learn and communicate through play and adults are provided respite and rejuvenation through play. Even teenagers need to play, and yes, they need to play with their families. God designed the concept of play so that humans can have an outlet and learn to enjoy life. So, no matter where you are in life or what is in sight, take time to PLAY as you pray, listen, affirm, and yield. Enjoy the moments with those you love and take time to make it fun along the way.

I hope you will join Beacon of Light on May 10 from 6:30-8:00pm as we learn more about Thriving in Transition. It’s sure to be an informative, enlightening, and meaningful event. Email me at carrie@beaconoflightmh.org to RSVP or for more information.

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