Self-Care Strategies during a Government Shutdown

As many are aware, on October 1, 2025, the federal government of the United States closed at midnight after the U.S. Congress failed to pass funding legislation for the 2026 fiscal year, which started that day. A government shutdown is a temporary halt of government operations resulting from the failure to authorize a new budget or assess ongoing funding. This results in a funding gap, leading to furloughs for non-essential federal employees (sent home without pay). Some essential services are reduced or stopped; those related to national security and public safety typically continue. The government is anticipated to resume operations on 11/11/2025, but only through January 30, 2026, with certain conditions.

During a government shutdown, mental health support is crucial since these circumstances create significant stress and uncertainty for federal workers and the general public. The disruption of services, potential income loss, and general uncertainty can lead to increased anxiety and multiple negative psychological effects. To improve mental health during a government shutdown, focus on having a routine and structure, maintain connections with others, practice self-care, and seek professional help if needed. Here’s why placing importance on your self-care during a financial downturn is crucial:

• Coping with Increased Stress and Anxiety: Government shutdowns lead to heightened anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression in federal employees due to uncertainty about when paychecks will resume and overall job stability. Engaging in self-care activities such as working out, practicing mindfulness, and having a hobby alleviates stress while helping manage these strong emotions.

  
  

• Maintaining a Sense of Control and Order: Many aspects of a government shutdown are beyond a person's control. Highlighting self-care enables workers to cultivate a sense of mastery over their personal health. Keeping a mostly regular daily schedule, even with some adjustments, staying steady, and preventing a total shock to the system when work resumes.

  
  

• Preventing Burnout: Workers on furlough and individuals in an "excepted" position without pay are at considerable risk of experiencing burnout. Self-care acts as a proactive approach that enhances energy and motivation, which can be depleted during prolonged stressful periods.

  
  

• Preserving General Health: Prolonged stress can adversely affect both physical and mental wellness. Raising the chances of various illnesses. Self-care, encompassing healthy eating, consistent exercise, and sufficient sleep, is vital for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health.

  
  

• Effective Functioning for Oneself and Others: As a specialist pointed out, self-care is not a self-centered act; those who ignore their own needs cannot adequately assist others. Prioritizing personal well-being allows employees to effectively support their families, colleagues, and communities during challenging periods.

  
  

• Nurturing Resilience: Self-care practices are crucial for developing individual resilience and the ability to adapt to difficult, changing circumstances.

Always remember to acknowledge your feelings, understanding that it's normal to feel stress, anxiety, anger, or sadness in times of uncertainty. Acknowledging your emotions can help you deal with them effectively. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation methods can enhance your mental well-being by utilizing deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or stretching to manage your nervous system and reduce physical anxiety symptoms. Make physical health a priority by eating nutritious and regular meals, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Participating in exercise can boost your mood and help relieve stress. Avoid harmful coping mechanisms, minimize alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use, as these can adversely affect mental health over time.

Happy Tuesday!

The Awareness of Mental Health

Happy Saturday! I hope everyone enjoys a healthy and fruitful weekend ahead. As we approach the end of 2025, numerous economic changes have occurred, changes that will impact everyone. Mental health has become a more prominent concern in the United States, fueled by heightened public awareness, government efforts, and the system continues to lack resources and struggles with issues of access and equity. Despite substantial efforts to combat the crisis, including initiatives to increase coverage and support the workforce, the demand for services exceeds the available resources. Due to significant budget reductions and adjustments outlined in Project 2025, numerous Americans are feeling anxious and increasingly despondent. Despite being a challenging period for individuals, we persist in motivating others to remain grounded and seek the light at the end of the tunnel. Amidst change and the exploration of the unfamiliar, anxiety often arises; yet, it is during these times that we uncover our true strength. Then what is yours?

A government shutdown adversely impacts American mental well-being by directly stressing federal workers and contractors, interrupting vital mental health services, and causing wider economic concerns that can result in depression and anxiety among the general population. To maintain your mental well-being during a government shutdown, prioritize self-care, stay in touch with family and friends, and manage stress by limiting news intake and practicing relaxation methods such as meditation and exercise. Addressing financial concerns proactively and seeking professional assistance when necessary is also crucial.

According to Help Guide, mental health can be enhanced through effective financial management, developing a resilient attitude by embracing gratitude and reshaping negative thoughts, and cultivating self-compassion. Focusing on maintaining routines, engaging with a support network, and pursuing professional assistance when necessary is also vital. Financial difficulties can result in stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, making it crucial to adopt proactive coping strategies, particularly during an economic downturn.

If your mental health is deteriorating, reach out for immediate assistance in a crisis by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For support, it's encouraged to engage with others, seek professional help by visiting a doctor or a mental health expert, and prioritize self-care habits such as obtaining sufficient sleep, staying active, and maintaining a nutritious diet. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Focus on self-care and managing stress (EX, Self-Care Routines, Creative Arts such as Dance, Art, and Music, Sports, Yoga, Fitness, Gardening, Cooking, Singing, Journaling, Talk to a supportive friend or relative, Cuddle with your pets, or get a pet, volunteer, go to the spa, etc.).

• Maintain physical activity: Working out can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Utilize relaxation methods: Engage in meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to soothe your mind.

• Create routines: Be consistent with mealtimes and rest to ensure a feeling of stability.

• Step away from the news: Restrict your news consumption to prevent "doom scrolling" and excessive stress.

• Participate in hobbies: Discover artistic pursuits or other enjoyable activities to help relieve stress.

Be well.

Mental Health Monday

We often overlook minor things in life. We didn't realize the importance of something until it was gone, and how much better we could have managed it if it had been with us. One of these things is mental health. The stigma around mental health persists because some individuals are still afraid to talk about it. Some folks generally don't give a damn about their mental health. Mental illness is still the "elephant in the room" in homes, at work, and at school. We're aware of the problem but prefer to remain silent about it.

I've often wondered why people are so scared to speak up about something that we can all connect to and about which we should all be deeply worried. Nowadays, one of the most common problems we see ordinary Americans face is dealing with mental health difficulties. You don't have to be diagnosed with a mental health issue to recognize that managing it is difficult for you. Stress, frustration, worry, and other mental agonies can alter how we live, behave, think, and feel about other people, places, and things. Some people put off taking care of their mental health since it's a subject that calls for them to sit down and be mindful of their feelings and thoughts. We try to escape these feelings or ideas by using other people, locations, or objects, which makes the situation worse.

Anxiety disorders, panic attacks, OCD, sadness, bipolar disorder, mood disruption disorders, phobias, eating disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia, and other mental health diseases are just a few examples. Numerous things can lead to mental health issues. Factors to take into account include genetics and family history, life experiences, unresolved negative emotions (stress, guilt, shame, etc.), exposure to pregnancy, medical issues, loneliness, difficulty with abandonment, childhood trauma, and history of abuse. How is the most crucial question? How do you handle these issues? What initiatives or services can we create and offer to the broader public to solve these problems? How do we raise consciousness?

When does mental health get a lot of attention?

Mental health is sometimes utilized as a "get out of jail free" card." Many tragic cases in which people claim mental illness as a justification for their awful, inhumane behavior are seen and heard. News of mass shootings in schools, supermarkets, movie theaters, and other public areas where children and adults congregate are examples. We frequently witness footage of a "shooter" who has had a mental health crisis or has been diagnosed with a disease. In my opinion, where is the history of our communities or, more significantly, parents advocating for services that can help manage the mental health issue of concern? If this is the case, which it is? The question is what you've done to guarantee that the problem is correctly handled, and what efforts you've taken to avoid a scenario like this from escalating. After that, what happens? There's more to dealing with a mental health issue than popping pills. We need to delve deeper and create approaches that are healthful, self-paced, and provide long-term benefits. On the other hand, some people are having difficulty managing their mental health difficulties and are looking for services that will help them.

Let's take a closer look at mental health in the US. Mental health was always common before the coronavirus epidemic, and the incidence of mental illnesses has been steadily increasing. The mental health of adults and children is deteriorating, according to an online American mental health database. In comparison to the 9.1% reported the previous year, 9.7% of our youth in the United States are depressed. Adults are having more suicidal thoughts than ever before. Between 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, the number of people in the United States who had serious suicidal thoughts increased by 0.15 percent, or 460,000 people, compared to the previous year's numbers.

There is still a scarcity of mental health treatment for both children and adults. During the 2017-2018 school year, 60 percent of children with severe depression received no mental health treatment. Over 38% of people do not obtain the mental health care they require, even in the states with the best availability. Only 27.3 percent of children with severe depression received treatment regularly. 23.6 percent of adults with mental disorders reported unmet treatment needs in 2017-2018. This figure has stayed constant since 2011. The number of people with mental illnesses who are uninsured has grown for the first time since the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the United States, there are 5.1 million uninsured adults.

Lastly, although there are programs that promote mental health and wellness, we need to push for more. Initiatives for mental health and wellness should be incorporated into the curriculum. Hospitals, community centers, and other organizations that work with people should offer mental health services.

Happy Monday!