GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in five adults live with a mental illness. How they tackle matters. A Lansing woman who has turned her trauma into a career helping others shares how to manage her mental health in a positive way.
She turns trauma into a career in helping others manage their mental health in positive ways
Angela Hook didn\’t know it at the time, but at just nine years old her childhood trauma caused her to suffer from anxiety and depression. She first turned to cigarettes, then her management method increased.
From cigarettes I started drinking alcohol, from alcohol I started experimenting with marijuana, from there I started smoking crack, Hook said.
She found herself stealing, in and out of bad relationships, and going against her faith to keep up with her addiction.
It affected her life, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She had children at the time and she was not able to be the best mom she knew she could be. Until one day, a close call changed her life.
I remember having a drunken binge, and I ended up rolling over my son, and when I woke up my son was blue and barely breathing, Hook said.
Hook believes her four-month-old son at the time was her guardian angel and pushed her to get the help she needed. She joined a Narcotics Anonymous program and began counseling to get to the root of her anxiety and depression so she could heal.
Today, she\’s 30 years sober with two master\’s degrees, working as a licensed professional counselor to help others with their mental health.
I always talk to people about how God has helped me through situations and I share my story to let people know you don\’t have to stay in the rut you\’re in, there is hope, Hook said.
He also shows them how to do what they didn\’t do to cope healthily. Instead of indulging in destructive habits like drugs and alcohol, encourage people to try things that will lift them up. Like finding a counselor, focus on self-care by eating right and exercising, practicing stress management techniques like journaling, and practicing mindfulness.
We have to advocate for mental health, we have to know there\’s nothing wrong with saying I need help, Hook said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources from the National Institute of Mental Health:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): For general information about mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a behavioral health treatment services locator on its website that can be searched by location.
988 Suicide and crisis lifeline
Call or text 988
The Lifeline provides 24-hour confidential support to anyone in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to get in touch with a qualified crisis counsellor.
Veterans Crisis Line
Usage Veterans crisis chat Network
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects veterans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a trained first responder. The service is available to all veterans and their supporters, even if they are not VA members or VA healthcare members.
If you\’re concerned about a friend\’s social media updates, you can contact the security teams at the social media company. They will reach out to the person to put them in touch with the help they need.
View the 5 Steps to Helping Someone in Emotional Pain infographic to see how you can help someone in distress.
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