Let’s talk about the importance of mental health check-ins. We often pay attention to our physical health but many of us forget to pay attention to our mental health. Both are equally as important and a mental health check-in can benefit everyone involved.

What is a mental health check-in?

A mental health check-in can be as brief and simple as asking yourself “How is my mental health?” or asking others around you “How is your mental health?” or other similar questions. Some people find it helpful to write down their thoughts to these questions, while others find it helpful to verbalize their thoughts, either internally or externally. All methods are helpful, as long as you are checking in.

Who should do a mental health check-in and when?

Mental health check-ins are for everyone. First and foremost, you should do a check-in with yourself at whatever frequency is comfortable for you. Some people prefer doing multiple check-ins with themselves throughout the day, some people prefer doing daily check-ins with themselves, and others prefer doing them at the end of the work week.

You may come to the conclusion, “my mental health is great” or you may come to the conclusion “my mental health isn’t the best right now” and everything in between. There’s no wrong way to feel. When doing a mental health check-in it is important to acknowledge your feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and anything else that may come up.

What about check-ins with other people?

It’s also important to check-in with other people: friends, family, colleagues, peers, and so on. Many of us live busy lives and sometimes don’t pay attention to our own mental health so it can be helpful to have someone else in our life check-in with us or for us to facilitate that check-in for someone else.

What are the benefits of a mental health check-in?

Mental health check-ins offers many benefits. When you check-in with yourself, it may foster greater self-awareness. When you check-in with others, it may help facilitate greater awareness for them too. It can also help:

• Identify the positives and negatives related to our mental health

• Identify when it may be best to reach out for help (ie. Therapy, friends, crisis lines, and more)

• Foster greater communication amongst family members and friends

• Be better support sources for ourselves and others