New Year: New Mindset: Prioritising Mental Wellness in 2025

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Welcome back to My Jamaican Vignettes and yes this is a Monday morning blog. We are back to doing Monday Morning Musings but with a mental health focus.

You may have already set your intentions for 2025, added your word for the year to your planner or diary or even designed your vision board. But have you considered your mental wellbeing as a priority in 2025? Let’s discuss how.

How To Prioritise Mental Wellness in 2025

Many of us consider getting annual physical checks – dental, eyecare, for women, gyno visits and pap smears but have you ever considered a mental health check? Seeing a therapist or a counsellor?

Maybe not. In January 2024, I resumed talk therapy after a long break (I originally started in 2020 then COVID-19 happened).

Presently, I see my therapist once a month and my sessions are virtual with the option to do in-person sessions if I choose to.

You don’t have to start with cognitive therapy, but lets say you go to church regularly you could speak to your pastor or deacon or someone at your church that has some psychology training and start there, begin with a 15-minute chat as a gauge to see where you are.

If you do feel as if you are struggling mentally, whether it is burnout or a mental health condition, reach out to a psychiatrist. There is no shame in needing additional support.

What To Expect In Your First Therapy Session

If you do choose talk therapy, expect to spend an hour or up to 90 minutes discussing your background, your medical health history, family dynamics and relationships. It might get uncomfortable at certain points but trust the process, the probing questions are to help you open up and get the most out of therapy.

Therapy can also be expensive and may not be covered by your health insurance so that is another factor to consider. My last one-hour therapy session cost JMD $12,000. Based on what you can afford and your mental health support needs, decide how frequently you will see a therapist.

Consider Journaling

The only up front costs will be a pen and a notebook but journalling can do wonders for your mental health. For years I used to journal on Sunday mornings only but after my birthday last October, I started journalling each day and I love it.

Starting can be a bit daunting so maybe start with journal prompts. My last blog post of 2024 can help you get started. To continue if you need more support or prompts I would recommend Pinterest and buying a guided journal.

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I hope you choose to put some care into your mental wellness in 2025 and see how you will feel this year. There is no shame in needing support.

Let me know if you’ve considered therapy and if you have any questions.

Also do you journal?