Recovering from mental health struggles is often described as a journey and for good reason. It’s not a quick fix or a single breakthrough moment. Instead, it’s a process that unfolds step by step, with progress, setbacks, learning, and growth along the way. For many, understanding the stages of mental health recovery can bring clarity and hope. It shows that healing isn’t just possible it’s real, and it happens gradually.

We have choices every day. We may not be able to choose our relatives or our neighbors, but each morning we can choose our attitude. Don’t wait to see what kind of day you will have; decide how you are going to approach the day. Give yourself a pep talk as you are getting ready for work. Every morning, I talk to “the man in the mirror” for a minute or two. I review my goals for the day and remind myself of the mantra “aim high, work hard, stay humble”. A brief pep talk can help you maintain a positive attitude and influence the way you see and the way you respond to the challenges that happen that day. Maintaining a positive attitude can be difficult during tough times, but it can improve both our mental and physical health. Maintaining positivity reduces stress, improves our relationships, and improves our problem-solving skills by fostering a mindset focused on solutions rather than problems.

To cultivate a positive attitude, try to watch for any negative thoughts and actively replace them with constructive ones. Additionally, surrounding yourself with uplifting individuals or activities can help you reduce negativity. To cultivate a positive attitude, try these strategies:

1. Practice gratitude: reflecting on the things we are thankful for changes the focus from problems to blessings.
2. A Healthy lifestyle: get regular exercise, adequate rest, and a balanced diet.
3. Set realistic goals to maintain motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Willie Nelson

Stress is a natural response to external pressures, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can severely impact mental health. The signs of stress vary from person to person, but identifying them early is crucial for managing and reducing its effects.

It is not something separate or less important than our physical health. Our emotional and mental wellbeing affects everything- how we think, how we connect with others, how we cope with stress, and how we show up in our lives.

However, there is still a lot of stigma associated with discussing or addressing mental health issues. People are often told to “toughen up” or “get over it” which can be very damaging. You would not tell someone to with a broken arm to ‘get over it” or “think positive” the pain will go away. So why do we say things like that to people who are struggling mentally or emotionally?

Everyone goes through tough times or feels overwhelmed sometimes. That does not make you weak, it makes you human. So, we must make it OK, to say you are not Ok and talk about therapy. The more we open these conversations the more we create a space for healing, connection, and real understanding. 

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this month, I believe it is important to continue to remind people that, at the end of the day, Mental Health Is Health, and we must start treating it that way.

Timeka Harper-Purcell LCSW, LCASA

In 2025, Freedom House Recovery Center had the honor and privilege of celebrating 50 years of serving our community through substance misuse and mental health recovery services.  50 years of service is not easy for any organization, but for a non-profit organization serving an oftentimes ignored community, 50 years of continuous service is a big deal.

We began our celebrations internally, with “kick-off” events at our sites.  This gave us an opportunity to recognize and thank our amazing staff for their continued support and dedication to our clients, our stakeholders, and the Freedom House mission.  Then we held external anniversary celebrations at each outpatient clinic and invited the community and our clients to help us celebrate recovery.  The festivities culminated at our headquarters in Chapel Hill with a grand finale celebration.   We are thankful for the people who made time to celebrate with us, including Representatives Renee Price and Allen Buansi, NC DMHDDSUD Director, Kelly Crosbie, local elected officials, City Council members, our Board of Directors, partner agencies, community members, and former and current clients.

As we say goodbye to 2024 and wrap up our celebrations, we look forward to new beginnings in 2025 with reflection on how far we have come as an organization.   In 1974 when Freedom House began, the stigma around substance misuse and mental illness was so prevalent that our agency founders did not put up a sign.  The word in the community was to find Freedom House, go down Airport Road and look for the large painted rock.  When you see the rock, you have found Freedom House.

A lot has changed in 50 years, but the rock remains the same.  It remains a reminder of the incredibly reliable, steadfast, and strong support Freedom House provides for the community.  It reminds us that Freedom House continues to be a constant source of stability and strength, especially during challenging times.  Freedom House has been and continues to be a beacon of hope, serving all in our community on their path to recovery – no matter who they are or what challenges they face.  The rock has been where recovery begins for 50 years.  That rock is Freedom House and Freedom House is the rock.