Wellness Includes Mental Health

Wellness tends to come with a familiar checklist: drink more water, get enough sleep, move your body, eat well and make time for the people and things you enjoy. All good advice. But there is one piece that deserves just as much attention: mental health.

August is National Wellness Month, the perfect time to look at what taking care of ourselves really means. Mental health shapes how we handle stress, connect with others, make decisions and move through everyday life. It is not separate from overall health. It is part of it.

And seeking support is hardly unusual. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2023, up from 19.2% in 2019.

At Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), behavioral health care is available to people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds. Just as importantly, you do not have to wait until life feels unmanageable to reach out.

You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis

There are days when stress is simply stress. A rough week, a packed calendar or a bad night’s sleep can leave anyone feeling off.

But sometimes that feeling sticks around. Stress becomes harder to manage. Anxiety starts getting in the way of everyday life. Maybe you are moving through grief, a relationship change or another difficult transition and realize your usual ways of coping are not cutting it.

That can be reason enough to ask for support.

Mental health care does not require reaching some invisible threshold of “bad enough.” Sometimes therapy is about getting through a crisis. Sometimes it is about having a place to talk, learning new coping skills or making life feel a little more manageable.

Care Can Look Different for Everyone

There is no single version of mental health care, and that is a good thing.

JFCS offers a range of behavioral health services, including psychiatric care, medication services, individual and group therapy, play therapy and treatment for substance use disorders. Virtual care options are available as well.

Depending on the location and individual needs, more specialized approaches may also be available, including family and trauma therapy, sand tray therapy and EMDR.

The right fit depends on the person. For one individual, it might be weekly counseling. For another, it could involve medication management, group support or a combination of services.

The first step does not have to be knowing exactly what you need. It can simply be asking.

And Yes, Insurance Matters

One of the least relaxing parts of seeking mental health care can be figuring out how to pay for it. JFCS healthcare centers accept AHCCCS, Medicare and many commercial insurance plans. That means people with private or employer-sponsored coverage may also be able to receive care through JFCS.

If you are not sure whether your plan is accepted, you do not have to decode the answer on your own. Calling JFCS at 602-256-0528 can help you understand what options are available and what the next step might look like.

Make Wellness Work for You

Wellness does not have to mean overhauling your life or adding six more habits to an already crowded routine. Maybe this month it means taking a walk. Calling a friend you have missed. Going to bed earlier. Turning your phone off for an hour.

Or maybe it means finally making the call you have been thinking about.

Mental health care is not a sign that wellness has failed. For many people, it is part of wellness itself. If you have been wondering whether talking to someone might help, that question alone can be a place to begin.

To learn more about JFCS behavioral health services or schedule an intake appointment, call 602-256-0528 or visit jfcsaz.org.