By Chelsea Campbell, PCN MHST
Chelsea Campbell is a Mental Health Clinician on the Mental Health Support Team (MHST). She’s a passionate advocate for mental health and community well-being, and is dedicated to fostering positive change through effective communication and empowering others to prioritize self-care.
It’s a bit challenging to feel the love with all the anxiety-provoking climate issues, rising costs, and global issues these days. If you need support or feel the need to talk to someone neutral, you may wish to check out the mental health services available on the North Shore.
The Primary Care Network is dedicated to providing comprehensive support through experienced mental health clinicians. Specializing in assisting clients with mental health and substance use concerns, the PCN offers up to 8 sessions of short-term free counseling. Beyond mental health, clinicians can guide individuals through various aspects of system navigation, including financial support, housing assistance, advance care planning, and more. These services are available to patients whose family doctors are based on the North Shore and are accessible through phone, virtual sessions, and in-person meetings from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
* To learn more, simply ask your family doctor for a referral to initiate an intake with our dedicated team.
As mental health clinicians within the PCN, we prioritize empowering our clients through grounding exercises that promote self-esteem, self-compassion, and acceptance. In light of February being the month of love, it provides an ideal opportunity to delve into the essence of self-love. During challenging mental health moments, negative self-talk and self-doubt can often surface. One effective exercise involves challenging irrational thoughts using Socratic questioning. Consider these two insightful questions: “Is this thought based in fact or feeling?” and “What would my best friend say?” For instance, if you find yourself thinking, “I will never find love,” applying Socratic questioning helps discern that such thoughts are not based on facts. Imagining your best friend’s supportive response can provide reassurance and encouragement.
To further support mental well-being, PCN clinicians offer valuable insights and strategies. By exploring grounding exercises, clients can cultivate a stronger sense of self-worth and resilience. As mental health advocates, we recognize the significance of positive self-affirmation and the impact it can have on overall well-being. Throughout February, we encourage everyone to embrace the practice of self-love and challenge any negative thoughts that may hinder personal growth. Our dedicated team is here to assist, and if you’re curious to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to your family doctor for a referral to begin an intake with us!